During the entire month of Ramadan, different tourist spots such as Cox’s Bazar and Sajek remained free of hustle and bustle. As the Eid draws near, hotels and restaurants are gearing up with cleaning and decoration drives to welcome the massive influx of Eid holidaymakers.
The government’s holiday schedule for this year was made on the assumption that Eid-ul-Fitr will fall on 10 or 11 April. The dates of April 10-12 were declared public holidays for the occasion.
Eid is followed by two more holidays as April 13 falls on a Saturday and April 14 is Pohela Boishakh, or the first day of the Bangla New Year.
The Muslim holiday of Shab-e-Qadr falls on April 7. Before that, April 5 and April 6 fall on the weekend. So if anyone takes a holiday on April 8 and April 9, people will be able to spend 10 consecutive days off from April 5.
The tourism industry insiders are optimistic that the long stretch of holiday will bring a lot of tourists to different tourist centers across the country. Tourist or vacation centers including Cox’s Bazar, Sajek, and Kuakata are ready to welcome tourists.
Industry insiders say most of the hotels, motels and guest houses are already 60 per cent to 70 per cent booked. Apart from this, the tourist police have taken necessary measures to ensure the safety of the holidaymakers.
Cox's Bazar is the only place where there is an opportunity to see all the wonderful beauty of nature in combination with mountains, sea, rivers, streams and waterfalls. So on special days and public holidays, people rush here to visit.
Different places such as the Dulahazra Safari Park, Ramu Buddha Bihar, Adinath Temple in Maheshkhali, Sonadia Island, and Marine Drive are more attractive to tourists. The authorities said security has been ensured in these Cox's Bazar tourist spots.
Mahbubur Rahman, a kitkot chair (chair-umbrella) service provider at the beach, said, “I could not collect any staff salary for a month and a half. I hope business will be good this Eid holiday.”
Meanwhile, Marine Drive Hotel-Resorts Association General Secretary Mukim Khan said, “On the occasion of Eid, about 50 per cent to 60 per cent of the rooms of marine drive hotels have been booked in advance.
The remaining rooms are also expected to be booked in the next few days.
The Federation of Tourism Services Association of Bangladesh Secretary Abul Kashem Shikder said there are around 500 hotel-motels and rest houses in Cox’s Bazar.
Generally, during Eid or different government holidays, the tourist crowds have increased in Cox's Bazar. He thinks that this time will not be different. They have taken all kinds of measures so that the tourists can move around safely.
Sajek Valley in Rangamati District has become a very attractive and popular tourist spot for mountain and nature lovers.
Tourists flock to see the hidden clouds in different seasons. And keeping in mind the needs of tourists, several resorts have been built as accommodation in Sajek Valley where anyone can safely stay with family or friends.
According to Sajek Resort-Cottage Owners Association, Sajek RuiLui tourist center has more than 100 resort-cottages. More than 3,500 tourists can stay in these cottages daily. Apart from this, many tourists spend the night in various houses and tents.
Speaking to The Business Post, Sajek Resort-Cottage Owners Association General Secretary Jerry Lusai said, “On the occasion of Eid holiday, all the rooms of our resort-cottages have been booked for three consecutive days.
“Almost 90 per cent booking for two days after Eid day, and after that, there are 50 per cent to 60 per cent rooms booked.”
The beautiful view of sunrise and sunset on the beach, endless running around with red crabs, walking with loved ones on the sandy beach, the movement of fishermen hunting for bounties, the vast sea on one side of the beach and the other side have rows of coconut trees, endlessly beautiful beaches and mangrove forests give Kuakata a different dimension.
Since the opening of the Padma Bridge, the number of tourists visiting Kuakata has gone up significantly. The tourism dependent businessmen hope that at least two lakh tourists may arrive in Kuakata this Eid.
Tour Operators Association of Kuakata (TOAK) Secretary Md Jahirul Islam said, “A large number of tourists are visiting Kuakata after the Padma Bridge inauguration. One can enjoy sunrise and sunset standing at the same place here.
“It takes less time to reach this beach in Kuakata from Dhaka than Cox's Bazar. So many travelers prefer Kuakata Beach.”
Meanwhile, Kuakata Hotel Motel Owners Association Treasurer Rasel Khan said, “Our premier hotels are about 60 per cent to 70 per cent booked. But the figures for smaller hotels and resorts are less than that. However, I am optimistic that such bookings will increase before Eid.”
Industry insiders say apart from Cox’s Bazar, Sajek, Kuakata, Sylhet, Chittagong, Sundarban, people will throng different tourist and recreation spots across the country.
