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The popular tourist destination of Cox's Bazar has been left without crowds since the start of Ramadan, resulting in a significant blow to local businesses.
From the longest beach to other popular tourist spots such as Saint Martin's Island, Inani, Himchhari, Adinath Mandir in Maheshkhali, Rubber Garden in Ramu, Buddhist Temple and Mathinkhup in Teknaf, all have become almost deserted, leaving more than 450 hotels, motels, and cottages in the tourist zone of Kalatali with empty bookings.
According to Salim Newaz, general secretary of Cox's Bazar Hotel-Guesthouse Owners Association, no tourists come to Cox's Bazar during Ramadan, although at least 1.5 million tourists could gather during the Eid holidays. Last year, during the Ramadan Eid holidays, 1.2 million people gathered in 10 days. However, this year, many hotels and restaurants in the city are closing unannounced during the fasting month, sending employees on leave with one month's salary and bonus.
Najim Uddin, an oyster trader on the beach, shared, "We will not have any business for one month of Ramadan. So, the day will be very difficult. With Eid coming up, the family is spending another big amount. All in all, small traders like us will continue to struggle this month."
The situation is dire for tourism-dependent businesses, including the 90 per cent of shops that have been closed, especially the oysters, pickles, fish fry, banana, nuts, chatpati, and cloth shops in the beach area.
Abdul Mannan, a nuts trader on the beach, said that every year, small traders like them have to suffer from economic problems for a month during Ramadan.
Although hotel-restaurant business was good from September to December last year and this year to March 15, many will have to struggle to cope with the recession of the fasting month, particularly those whose business is small.
Shalik restaurant owner Nashir Uddin Bachchu explained that there are no tourists in Cox's Bazar at this moment, and although there are usually some tourists, this year there are none.
Despite the current downturn, Cox's Bazar Tourist Police Superintendent Md. Zillur Rahman remains optimistic, saying that the tourist season is over, and that's why Cox's Bazar is devoid of tourists.
However, after Eid, Cox's Bazar is expected to again be full of tourists, providing some hope for the struggling tourism-dependent businesses in the area.