Country’s premier tourist destinations have been left desolate due to the quota reform movement, marked by widespread violence, clashes, vandalism, and arson attacks, prompting the government to impose an indefinite curfew.
Iconic spots like Cox's Bazar, Sylhet, Rangamati, and Bandarban now have empty hotels, motels, guest houses, restaurants, and souvenir shops, causing a severe downturn in the tourism sector.
Business owners claim that the current volatile situation has resulted in losses exceeding Tk 1,000 crore in the tourism industry and that there is no alternative to government incentives to save the sector.
Tourism operators in Cox's Bazar have reported a significant drop in visitors. They mentioned that this is usually a peak time for tourists, but due to the turbulent situation of the country, they have not received the usual influx of visitors.
Those who did arrive before the unrest started found themselves in difficult situations. During the violence and curfews, around 10,000 tourists were stranded and had to be assisted in various ways by local businesses.
Cox's Bazar: Daily losses over Tk1cr
Kolatoli-Marine Drive Hotel Resort Owners' Association General Secretary Mukim Khan said that they are incurring daily losses exceeding Tk 1 crore.
“Currently, there are no tourists in Cox's Bazar, and those who were there have returned under army protection in 71 buses,” he added.
Mukim Khan warned that if the situation in the country does not stabilise, almost all hotels and motels will be forced to close.
Abul Kasem Sikder, president of the Cox's Bazar Hotel-Motel and Rest House Owners Association, told The Business Post that the ongoing curfew and unrest surrounding the quota reform movement have devastated the tourism industry in Cox's Bazar.
He reported losses of Tk 100 crore over seven days across the 450 hotels and guesthouses, with an additional Tk 50 crore in losses affecting restaurants and other businesses.
“If this continues, many hotel workers may face layoffs,” he added.
Sylhet: From floods to fresh turmoil
Similarly, Sylhet's tourism sector has been severely affected by the unstable situation and curfews, just as it was beginning to recover from three rounds of flooding. The ongoing crisis has caused losses exceeding Tk 1,000 crore in the current season.
Business owners claim that during this peak tourist season, including Eid-ul-Azha, the tourism sector in the Sylhet division alone has suffered losses amounting to several thousand crores of taka. There is growing concern about whether they will be able to pay gas and electricity bills, as well as staff salaries, at the end of the month due to the ongoing turmoil.
Tahmin Ahmed, president of the Sylhet Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI), told the media, "The people of Sylhet have had very bad luck. The years 2020-21 were marked by the Covid-19 pandemic, bringing everything to a standstill, which impacted the tourism sector severely. There was a slight recovery attempt in 2023, but the floods and protests of 2024 have undone all progress."
“Since Eid-ul-Azha, the tourism sector in Sylhet has been going through a very tough time. The floods and the quota reform movement have caused losses amounting to several thousand crore taka in the Sylhet division,” he added, emphasising that government incentives are crucial to save the sector and suggesting that waiving interest on loans for those who have borrowed could provide some relief.
Deserted hills with no new arrivals
Quota reform movement, violence, clashes, vandalisms and the nationwide curfew have left Rangamati completely devoid of tourists. Despite the enchanting, rain-washed green hills that usually attract visitors, the picturesque region remains deserted.
In the Sajek Valley of Rangamati district, home to 116 resorts, the impact is equally severe. Currently, there are no tourists, and as a result, tourism operators report that in the past week alone, the sector has suffered losses exceeding Tk 5 crore.
Cottage Malik Somitee of Sajek Organizing Secretary Rahul Chakma Jon told The Business Post that their area had remained peaceful amid the ongoing unrest. However, the ongoing curfew has left their tourism sector empty, resulting in losses amounting to several crore taka.
Similarly, Bandarban Hotel-Motel-Resort Owners Association General Secretary Sirajul Islam reported that many tourists were stranded in their area due to the ongoing violence, eventually returning home with government assistance. Since then, no new tourists have arrived. A similar situation prevails in Khagrachari.
