Home ›› 18 Dec 2022 ›› Front
Mejbah Uddin, who works at a private company, and his wife Runa Akhter are planning to go to Cox’s Bazar on vacation after their only daughter’s exams are over.
As both of them work and their daughter goes to school, it is difficult for them to take a vacation together and they do not get much time to travel outside Dhaka.
Mejbah said they would visit not only the Cox’s Bazar beach but also the Buddhist temple in Ramu, Himchari, Inani, Maheshkhali, and other tourist spots there.
Not only Mejbah but many families like them are preparing to go to the tourist city of Cox’s Bazar as winter is the peak season to travel there. Tourists have already started arriving ahead of Christmas and New Year eve while more than 400 hotels, motels, and guest houses have been decorated to welcome them.
Hoteliers hope thousands of tourists will flock to Cox’s Bazar this season to enjoy the endless beauty of the world’s longest beach and green hills.
On the other hand, the local administration and tourist police have strengthened security to ensure tourists will enjoy safe holidays.
Cox’s Bazar Hotel, Motel and Guest House Owners’ Association General Secretary Abul Kashem Sikder told The Business Post there were not many tourists two weeks ago due to children’s examinations, the World Cup, and the recent political development.
“But we are getting more and more of them now. Hotels and motels are almost booked,” he said. He said he was expecting around two million tourists would arrive between December 21 and 31.
“The number could be even higher. We are also preparing to provide maximum services for them,” the business leader said.
The tourists coming during the peak season also face various problems. In the past, they have complained about being overcharged for lodging and food.
Cox’s Bazar Marine Drive Hotel Resort Owners’ Association General Secretary Mukhim Khan said almost all hotels and guest houses are now booked and tourists coming without making bookings would face problems.
He requested tourists to check online and over phone whether rooms are available before the journey. “Without doing that, it is not a wise decision to travel.”
Mohammad Zahirul Islam, chief account officer at Mermaid Beach Resort, told The Business Post almost 80 per cent of their rooms are booked for the next two weeks.
“We are ready to serve our guests. But it is better to check in advance whether there are available rooms.”
Several other hoteliers said the same.
Rabiul Hasan and his family arrived in Cox’s Bazar from Dayaganj in Dhaka. He said the sea beach would re-energise and Cox’s Bazar is a wonderful place to spend holidays.
Special security measures have been taken by the tourist police, the district police, and the district administration to handle the influx of tourists.
Muhammad Shaheen Imran, deputy commissioner of Cox’s Bazar, said several magistrates are working in tourist spots so that tourists are not harassed in any way. Superintendent of Cox’s Bazar tourist police Zillur Rahman told The Business Post additional security measures have been taken to ensure the security of tourists.
He said they are working day and night to make sure tourists will enjoy safe holidays. The police official further said the tourist police unit is providing round-the-clock security not only on the Cox’s Bazar beach but also other nearby tourist spots, including Himchari and Inani.
