Cox’s Bazar tourism businesses generate Tk 5.0b in revenue

Hospitality industry of the country's top tourist attraction Cox's Bazar fetched an estimated amount of Tk 5.0 billion (or Tk 500 crore) centring Eid-ul-Fitr this year.

According to sector insiders, around 0.5 million (5 lakh) holidaymakers flocked to the tourist destination during the weeklong Eid vacation spanning from April 22 to 28.

During this period, approximately 70,000-80,000 people came on outing here every day, according to guesstimates of local businesses.

Around 65 per cent of the rooms of more than 500 hotels and motels in Cox's Bazar were rented out.

Also, more than 700 restaurants in the town- both of big and small sizes- witnessed large crowds.

Abu Taleb Shah, AGM of Hotel The Cox Today, said, "The total accommodation capacity of the hotel is 600 persons; whereas 300-350 tourists occupied rooms every day."

Most of the tourists rent a room worth Tk 8000-Tk 10,000. There was a special discount of 20-30 per cent on the rent of rooms for the Eid.

However, flow of tourists has further declined since Friday (28 April).

"This time we did not get the number of tourists we expected. Due to this, business has not been so good," he added.

Mukim Khan, general secretary of Cox's Bazar Kalatali of Marine Drive Hotel Resort Owners Association, said, "About 0.5 million (five lakh) tourists have come to Cox's Bazar this Eid. If each person spent Tk 10,000, it would be estimated that there was a trade of about Tk 5 billion (500 crore).

Mukim said, "This time tourists did not come to Cox's Bazar as expected; that is why business has also not been to our expectation".

Two of the few reasons why business has not been good are people's financial problems and hot weather. Enormous crowds of tourists were seen in Cox's Bazar especially on April 24-25. Since April 28, the number of tourists has kept declining. Sector insiders assume that the number of tourists will substantially decline from today (Sunday).

Now even with 50-60 per cent discount on hotel rooms, there is no response from tourists.

Stunning crowds of tourists were seen on the sandy shores of Labani, Sugandha and Kalatali points on Friday afternoon.

Amidst the scorching heat, the beach witnessed presence of thousands of tourists who flocked here to enjoy the sea sights.

Tourists observed that relief was found in the sea atmosphere amid intense heat.

Meanwhile, these days the tourist hub remained busy with rush of photographers, bikers, Zedski and horse rider. Many people ride Zedski to the rhythm of the waves. Many were also busy enjoying the coolness of the sea by walking in the sand of the beach, sitting on the beach umbrella. People of all ages were rejoicing on Cox's Bazar beach around the Eid festival.

Shafiq Ahmed, a tourist who came for a trip, said he came to Cox's Bazar during the Eid holiday and experienced a different scene of beach. The sea is a little rougher than normal.

Nazmul Islam, who came from Dhaka, said, "I came to Cox's Bazar for three days and will leave today. Every time I come to Cox's Bazar, but this time I didn't like its environment because of the hot weather. The sea water along with the beach sand has also felt warm.

Mahabub Alam, a worker in charge of Cox's Bazar beach, said apart from Cox's Bazar beach, tourists are visiting Himchari, Inani, Patuartek and Marine Drive.

Additional Superintendent of Police of Cox's Bazar Tourist Police Molla Mohammad Shaheen said there have been taken strict security measures in tourist spots, hotel-motel zones and beaches. Along with the outfit, intelligence surveillance has also been increased. Tourists can travel safely and return home.

And due to intense heat, clean drinking water has been arranged for tourists at every point of the beach. At the same time, tourist police is providing various types of service activities including health care.

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