Tourists pack Cox's Bazar during Eid holidays

Thousands of holidaymakers have thronged Cox's Bazar, a popular tourist destination, to spend some blissful time during the holiday of Eid-ul-Azha.

Tourists started arriving in the city since Sunday morning, while the beach is now too crowded to move. There are no empty rooms in any of the 500 hotels and motels, as all of them have been booked in advance.

On the beach, some are riding horses and some are busy taking pictures on their mobile phones. Some are travelling around the vast waters of the sea by high-speed jet ski, while many are sitting on chairs with umbrellas beholding the grandeur of the sea.

About 70,000 to 80,000 people gathered at Sugandha Point until 12 noon on Tuesday while at least 50,000 people were busy bathing in the sea on the hot afternoon.

Apart from the sea beach, the Cox's Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive, Dariyanagar Tourism Spot, Himchhari Waterfall, Rocky Beach Inani-Patuartek, Teknaf Sea Beach, Mathin Koop, Dulahazara Safari Park, Ramu Buddhist Village and other centers are also bustling with visitors.

Sea Safe Life Guard Director Imtiaz Ahmed said that lifeguards have to keep a watchful eye on people swimming in the sea. Hotel owners say that Cox's Bazar was calm and quiet due to a lack of tourists for several days, but the city began to be vibrant again during the Eid festival.

Tourist police and lifeguards say that only 3,000 tourists came to the beach on Saturday, the first day of the Eid. But by Sunday evening, tens of thousands of tourists came to the beach, while the number of tourists subsequently increased.

Mukim Khan, general secretary of the Cox's Bazar Kalatoli-Marine Drive Hotel Resort Owners Association, said, "More than 70,000 tourists have checked into various hotels in Cox's Bazar since 12 noon today (Tuesday). Thousands more will arrive by evening. There will be no accommodation in more than 500 hotels and resorts in the city from Wednesday. Although 10 to 12 percent rooms are vacant in some medium-sized hotels today, there are no rooms vacant in posh hotels and resorts. If you don't book your rooms in advance, you are sure to face problems."

Tourism entrepreneur Rezaul Karim Reza said they are expecting a high turnout of tourists during the holiday. Mahbubur Rahman, a restaurant owner, said tourists are enjoying good discounts. "We hope business will be good."

Snails, oysters, dried fish and other products are also selling like hot cakes at the Zila Parishad Market of Laboni Point and other places. Gafur Uddin, a small trader, said the influx of tourists will help drum up their business during the Eid holidays.

Tourist Police Cox's Bazar Zone Assistant Superintendent of Police Nityananda Das said law enforcement agencies are working round the clock to ensure safety of tourists.

Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner (DC) Muhammad Salahuddin said a number of mobile courts led by magistrates have been deployed to monitor the situation.

They are trying to make sure that tourists are not overcharged for foods or hotel rents. Coordination meetings have been held with all parties concerned to provide smooth service for visitors, he added.