Businessmen related to tourism fear that the longest sea beach of the world is going to face a tourist crisis for the national election slated for December 30.
Despite winter being the peak tourism season, the businessmen are worried that tourists will stay away from Cox's Bazar on days before and after the election, reports UNB.
Usually, thousands of tourists gather at the Cox's Bazar sea beach to celebrate New Year’s Eve—ushering in the Gregorian New Year—and enjoy the mild-winter in Bangladesh on their vacations.
Hotels, motels, resorts, and guesthouses of the district remain packed with tourists in advance. However, this year the national election will be held on December 30.
With Bangladesh's reputation for election-related violence, tourists will avoid untoward situations, and refrain from gathering in Cox's Bazar, said the local businessmen, expressing apprehension over huge losses.
Imrul Siddiqi Rumi, former president of Hotel Motel Owners' Association and manager of five-star hotel Seagull, said tourists flock to different spots of the beach-town to enjoy their holidays.
Usually, hotel booking for the last 10 days of December is done in November. But this year, the scenario is totally different, with no advance bookings.
Shafiqur Rahman, vice-president of Cox's Bazar Hotel-Motel Guest House Owners' Association, said there are 300 hotels in Cox's Bazar. Hotel owners usually remain busy during the last days of November and the early days of December renovating hotels.
"There's no possibility this time to retrieve the money spent," said Shafiqur.
Md Kamal, the Deputy Commissioner of Cox's Bazar, said the tourism industry in Cox's Bazar is being developed in different ways. "All preparations have been taken to ensure a safe and comfortable visit for tourists."
He furthered that all tourist spots are also under special surveillance. "Whether tourists come or not, the district administration is ready to welcome them," the deputy commissioner said.
