Tourist arrivals are picking up in Rangamati ahead of the Sharadiya Durga Puja holidays, with the picturesque hill district witnessing growing interest among holidaymakers.
Around 90% of the rooms at hotels and motels operated by the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) in Rangamati have already been booked, while tourism-related businesses are expecting a further influx of visitors during the festive break.
Surrounded by lush green hills, winding roads and the blue waters of Kaptai Lake, Rangamati has long been a popular destination for nature lovers. Boat trips and the iconic hanging bridge are among its major attractions. This year, the bridge's reopening has added to the district's appeal after it remained submerged under the waters of Kaptai Lake for an extended period.
Following renovation work, the bridge was reopened to tourists on October 12 after water levels receded, drawing renewed interest from visitors eager to see the landmark in its restored state.
Tourists visiting Rangamati say the district's natural beauty continues to draw them back, making it an ideal destination for family trips and holiday getaways.
Mohammad Saidullah Patowary, who travelled from Chittagong with his family to visit the hanging bridge, said, “It had long been my wish to visit this beautiful bridge with my family. Just a few days ago, it was underwater. Now that it is fully visible again, we are all enjoying the visit. I hope other families who come here will enjoy it just as much.”
Onti Chakma, a local visitor from Rangamati town, said rising water levels in Kaptai Lake had submerged the bridge twice this year.
“Now that the bridge has re-emerged, it looks beautiful. Tourists are coming here to take photographs and spend time enjoying the surroundings,” Onti said.
Rafiqul Islam, who travelled from Dhaka, said Rangamati's hills and lakes had always been a major attraction for him.
“The reopening of the hanging bridge has made this visit even more enjoyable. Rangamati is an excellent place to spend quality time with family amid nature,” he said.
Sharmin Akter, another tourist from Chittagong, said the combination of hills, lake views and lush greenery gave Rangamati a distinctive charm.
“The scenery around the hanging bridge is particularly beautiful. Visiting a place like this with family during the holidays is a wonderful experience,” she said.
The growing number of visitors has raised hopes among local tourism operators of a busy festive season. Hasan Ahmed Sohel, who oversees the ticket counter at the tourist hanging bridge, said ticket sales resumed on October 12 after the lake's water level receded.
“Many tourists visited the bridge today. We expect visitor numbers to rise further during the upcoming Puja holidays,” he said.
Sumedh Chakma, director of Baghi Lake Valley Resort on the Kaptai-Asambasti Road, said the resort had received bookings for the period from October 16 to 24.
“We are receiving a positive response from tourists ahead of the Puja holidays,” he said.
Alok Bikash Chakma, manager of the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation in Rangamati, said the hanging bridge had remained underwater for nearly a month before being reopened to visitors on October 12, following necessary renovation work and approval from the authorities.
“We hope to welcome a record number of tourists during this year's Sharadiya Durga Puja holidays. Around 90 percent of the rooms at our tourist motel have already been booked. We expect a steady flow of visitors throughout the month,” he said.
With its scenic landscapes, the reopening of a major tourist attraction and the extended Puja holidays, Rangamati's tourism sector is experiencing renewed momentum. The expected influx of holidaymakers is also likely to benefit local hotels, motels, resorts, transport operators and small businesses, providing a welcome boost to the district's tourism-dependent economy.
