In addition to tariffs at hotels and motels, transport fares have doubled due to the rush
UNB: Thousands of local and foreign tourists are swarming to Kuakata and Cox’s Bazar beaches to enjoy the three-day holiday that started on Thursday, the Victory Day.
On the other hand, many people are visiting the tourist spots that are near to the capital, including the Haor areas of Kishoreganj and Moulvibazar, entertainment parks in Savar and Narsingdi, and the resorts in Gazipur.
Golam Kibria, founding president of Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), said: “Many tourists have come to Cox’s Bazar this time. We have faced a huge loss because of the Covid pandemic. Maybe now we can make up for it.”
Omar Sultan, president of Cox’s Bazar Hotel Guest House Owners’ Association, said: “All the hotel rooms were pre-booked for this three-day holiday period. Even today, we have returned many tourists because the rooms are not vacant anymore.”
Mohiuddin Ahmed, additional superintendent of Cox’s Bazar Zone, said: “Apart from the beach, tourists are flocking to various entertainment centres. The district administration and police are working round the clock for the safety of these tourists.”
In addition to hotels and motels, transport fares have doubled in the tourist areas because of the rush. The beach city’s easy-bike and rickshaw pullers, and restaurant owners are also charging high.
Abul Qasim, general secretary of Cox’s Bazar Hotel and Motel Owners’ Association, admitted to taking extra rent in hotels and motels.
“However, we will lodge a complaint with the administration against the hotel owners who are overcharging,” he added.
Mohammad Abu Sufian, additional district magistrate (Tourism Cell) of Cox’s Bazar, said harassment of incoming tourists would not be tolerated in any way.
Meanwhile, 95% of hotels and motels in Kuakata were found occupied on Thursday.
Police are working on the ground for the safe travel of the tourists. However, tourists are indifferent to social distance and health guidelines, according to police.
Banker Farzana Islam has come from Khulna with her family members. “I could not manage to visit Kuakata in the last couple of years for not getting a long vacation at a convenient time. This time, I got three days off and came here with all the family members.”
Ruman Imtiaz Tushar, president of Tour Operators’ Association of Kuakata, said the crowd in Kuakata had begun growing since the beginning of this month.
“With the arrival of thousands of tourists, Kuakata is getting back to its former glory,” he observed, adding that the newly constructed bridges and repaired roads had been a blessing for all.
Abdul Khaleq, assistant superintendent of Kuakata Tourist Police Zone, said a team of tourist police was patrolling all the tourist spots in Kuakata to ensure the safety of the tourists.
“Tourist police are trying to avoid any kind of unpleasant incident,” he added.
