Cox’s Bazar is witnessing an early surge in tourism as the Durga Puja holidays combine with a special holiday and the weekend, with local businesses expecting more than 700,000 visitors to flock to the country’s premier seaside destination over five days.
The extended break, covering 20-24 October, has brought the beach to life ahead of the usual tourist season, which generally begins in November.
Tourism businesses are anticipating a significant boost in bookings and spending as holidaymakers arrive from different parts of the country.
Around 90 per cent of hotel and motel rooms across the district have already been booked, according to the Cox’s Bazar Hotel-Motel Owners Association.
On Monday, the first day of the holiday, large crowds gathered at several points along the beach.
Visitor numbers are expected to rise further on Tuesday, 21 October, when devotees will gather for the Durga Puja idol immersion.
A visit to Sugandha and Kolatoli beach points on Monday afternoon found families and groups of friends enjoying the sea and the pleasant weather.
While some played in the waves and swam, others took photographs, walked along the sandy shore, rode horses or used beach bikes and jet skis. Many sat on beach loungers, enjoying the sea breeze.
Beachside traders said visitor numbers had risen since the morning, with local residents also joining the holiday crowds. The favourable weather had helped revive activity across the beach area.
Several visitors said Cox’s Bazar remained an attractive destination for family holidays, adding that they were enjoying the weather and spending quality time by the sea.
Abul Kashem Sikder, president of the Cox’s Bazar Hotel-Motel Owners Association, said tourism businesses were expecting an average of 150,000 visitors a day during the five-day break.
“We hope an average of 150,000 tourists will visit Cox’s Bazar every day during the five-day holiday. On that basis, more than 700,000 tourists could visit over the five days,” he said.
Cox’s Bazar has more than 500 hotels, motels and cottages, around 90 per cent of whose rooms have already been booked, he added.
The influx has also extended beyond the main beach to other popular attractions across the district, including Marine Drive, Himchari waterfall, Dariyanagar, Inani and Patuartek, providing a boost to tourism-related businesses.
Security tightened amid visitor surge With the number of holidaymakers rising, authorities have strengthened security at the beach and other tourist attractions.
Tourist police and district police teams have been deployed to protect visitors, while lifeguards are monitoring swimming areas and advising holidaymakers to follow safety instructions.
Sea-Safe Lifeguard personnel are on duty at Laboni, Sugandha and Kolatoli points, urging visitors to swim only in areas covered by lifeguard services to ensure that emergency rescues can be carried out promptly.
Mohammad Selim Uddin, a rescuer with Sea-Safe Lifeguard, said safety measures had received greater attention in response to the rising number of visitors.
He urged tourists to remain cautious when entering the sea and follow lifeguards’ instructions to avoid accidents.
Additional Superintendent of Police Md Ahidur Rahman said tourist police and district police teams had been deployed at the beach and other tourist destinations to ensure visitors’ safety.
The district administration has also stepped up monitoring of hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses to maintain service standards and prevent overcharging and harassment.
Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman Sayem, assistant commissioner and executive magistrate of the Cox’s Bazar district administration’s tourism cell, said authorities were monitoring businesses to protect holidaymakers from unfair practices.
“Tourist safety and proper management of the tourism industry are always our top priorities. We are monitoring the situation to ensure that no one charges excessive prices or harasses tourists in any way,” he said.
Tourism experts have also stressed the importance of ensuring that visitors can enjoy their stay without facing inconvenience or harassment, particularly during the holiday rush.
With hotel bookings already high and crowds gathering at the main beach and surrounding attractions, tourism businesses are hoping the extended Puja break will deliver a strong boost to the local economy while authorities work to keep the destination safe and visitor-friendly.