Sylhet’s major tourist destinations are witnessing a surge in visitors during the five-day Durga Puja holiday, with 80-90 percent of rooms in quality hotels and motels already booked, according to local tourism operators.
Local business owners have spruced up their hotels and motels, carrying out renovations and adding decorations to make their establishments more attractive to guests ahead of the holiday rush.
Tourism operators expect the influx of visitors to continue beyond the official five-day holiday, potentially extending to at least ten days.
Business owners are optimistic that favourable weather and a stable political situation will help attract more tourists than in previous years.
They said most visitors book accommodation online and expressed confidence that hotels and motels would reach full occupancy within the next few days.
Similar trends have been reported at quality hotels, motels and guesthouses in the neighbouring districts of Moulvibazar and Habiganj.
Sumat Nuri Jewel, president of the Sylhet Hotel, Motel and Guesthouse Owners’ Association, said bookings for most hotel rooms were nearing full capacity. He expressed hope that accommodation providers would be fully booked during the Puja holidays.
He also noted that the number of tourists visiting Sylhet over the past two to three months had already been higher than usual.