Home ›› 11 Dec 2021 ›› Nation
The tourism sector in Moulvibazar district has started to bounce back after suffering massive losses amid the Covid-19 crisis, delighting businesses in the region with an increasing number of tourists in recent months.
Speaking to The Business Post, industry insiders expressed optimism that the sector will continue to recover from the pandemic-induced rut if visitors maintain health safety regulations to steer clear of Covid infections.
Even though the unprecedented crisis still lingers on, almost every tourist spot in the district is gradually gaining its old ambience back as hundreds of visitors from different parts of the country flock towards these destinations after a pause of almost two years.
The arrival of a large number of vacationers has brought much needed business to local traders, retailers, street food vendors, transportation workers, and owners of restaurants, hotels, motels, and resorts.
Besides, the boost in tourist numbers has also been a boon for local photographers, auto-rickshaw drivers and others who depend on this sector to make ends meet.
The most popular tourist attraction destinations in the region are Madhabkunda Eco Park, Lawachara National Park, Lawachara National Park, Madhabpur Lake, Madhabkunda Waterfall, HumHum Waterfall, Hakaluki Haor, Baikka Beel Wetland Sanctuary, Sreemangal Bird Park and Breeding Centre, Rajkandi Reserve Forest, The shrine of Shah Mustafa, Manipuri Palli, Porikonda Waterfall and Hail Haor.
Hotels, motels and resorts in the district are already packed to the rafters with guests, but owners hope that even more tourists will visit in the days ahead.
Fakhrul Islam, sales manager of Grand Sultan Tea Resort, said their hotel was closed for about nine months due to Covid-19. However, the number of tourists this resort is welcoming now should be enough to recoup the losses they faced amid the pandemic, he said.
Selim Miah, director of Lemon Garden Resort, told The Business Post that they had experienced a huge loss during the pandemic, but now they are gradually trying to recoup the losses. “We are receiving a lot of tourists every day, especially on the weekends. Most of our rooms are already booked for the next month,” he said.
Moyna Miah, a tour operator of the area, said tourism in Moulvibazar is booming right now. “If the situation prevails, people involved in the tourism business will be able to make profits after recouping the losses,” he added.
Anamika Chowdhury, a tourist who came to visit Moulvibazar, told The Business Post that tourists like her are unable to find a reservation in residential hotels, motels and resorts unless they had booked their rooms at least a month back.
“We are facing difficulties as we are not getting any rooms for accommodation as most of these residential hotels are already filled up with vacationers,” said Anamika.
Nazrul Islam, upazila nirbahi officer of Sreemangal, said tourism in Moulvibazar is not only benefitting its residents, but it is also adding a significant amount of remittance to the country’s economy.
He continued, “We are working day and night to revive tourism in this district. We are promoting eco-friendly and community-based tourism to support the region’s ethnic minority groups, and to ensure proper preservation of the district’s natural resources.
“We are welcoming new investments. However, we will not authorise any business that could cause harm to the district’s environment and ecological balance.”
Mir Nahid, the deputy commissioner of Moulvibazar, told The Business Post, “We have introduced a couple of tourist buses to make their visits cost less, and be more budget-friendly.
“Through this initiative, visitors are getting the chance to explore all the tourist spots in one day and without having to stay in the hotels.”
