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A group of private university students were seen taking photographs at Meghla tourist spot in Bandarban town. But many of them have expressed regret for not going to Remakri and Debotakhum due to the travel ban.
Faisal Ahmed, one of them said, “Now travel ban is in force in three upazilas of Bandarban district. That’s why we can’t visit most beautiful tourist spots like Thanchi, Ruma or Rowangchhari. Though we wanted to stay for a few more days, we will leave the town soon.”
Not only these students, but also the visitors like them try to keep them satisfied by roaming around the Bandarban town and its surrounding areas.
Thanchi, Ruma and Rowangchhari of Bandarban district, one of the tourist spots of the country, have numerous places of interest, including mountains Keokradong, Tazing Dong, Nafakhum, Debotakhum and Bogalake. Bandarban is a very attractive place, especially for those who love trekking and waterfalls.
But the people involved in tourism business are going through a tough time due to travel ban for an indefinite period and terrorist threat in three upazilas of Bandarban, according to hotel-motel businessmen, tour guides, transport workers and other people visiting there.
Bandarban Hotel Resort Owners’ Association General Secretary Sirajul Islam told The Business Post that the tourist season is usually from November to March. Besides, tourists come here throughout the year. Around 2,000-3000 people work at several hundred hotels, motels and resorts.
Apart from them, thousands of workers involved in the tourism industry are earning livelihood. Bandarban has a business of over a hundred crore taka every year in the tourism sector, he said.
But compared to other years, this time they could not do good business. More than half of the rooms in residential hotels, motels, resorts and guesthouses have not been booked, said the business leader.
He said that travel ban in three upazilas and fears of armed outfits have affected the tourism industry seriously. Businessmen related to tourism have suffered financial losses.
Hotel Hilton’s supervisor Habibur Rahman said, “Their hotel booking is not that much. Earlier, there was 80-90 per cent room booking, but now room booking is 20 to 30 per cent. Even though some tourists come, they don’t stay long.”
Echoing the same, Hotel Hill View’s duty manager Abhijit Das said, “Their business is slowing down due to travel ban. Business will bounce back if the ban is lifted.”
Tourism business insiders said that vigilance has been increased by the administration, Tourist Police and Hotel Owners’ Association to ensure the safety of travellers. Various discount offers have been announced for the convenience of tourists. However, businessmen are not getting an expected number of tourists.
Tour guide Lancel Mro said, “We have long been making a living by serving tourists, who come from different parts of the country. But due to the ban on tourist travel for long six months, we have become unemployed. I am going through a tough time with my family for unemployment.”
Transport worker Mo Chang said, “About three/four hundred transport workers have become unemployed due to a lack of tourists for a long time. In order to earn a living, many people involved in tourism have switched their profession and now worked as day labourers and jhum farmers.”
Those involved in tourism business said that if such a situation continues, the economy here may slow down further. They also demand the administration withdraw the ban, considering the livelihood of those involved in the tourism industry.
Bandarban Deputy Commissioner & District Magistrate Yasmin Parvin Tibriji said that the ban on tourist travel is in force in Ruma, Rowangchari and Thanchi upazilas due to security reasons. The ban has been imposed aimed at helping the joint forces stop the terrorist activities in the hills. The ban will be lifted later considering the situation.
Apart from those, tourists can visit other spots. They are working to find new tourist spots and make old spots more attractive in Bandarban, she said.
