Sarwar Azam Manik, Cox’s Bazar
Cox’s Bazar is preparing for the winter tourist rush, with a three-month tourism carnival scheduled to begin on November 1. Hotels and restaurants are preparing for more visitors, while authorities are strengthening security and deploying executive magistrates to prevent harassment and overcharging.
Besides its 120-kilometre coastline, attractions include Saint Martin’s Island, Inani, Himchari, Adinath Temple on Maheshkhali Island, Buddhist temples in Ramu and Dulahazara Safari Park.
Tourist arrivals are already increasing during weekly holidays. Abul Kashem Sikder, president of the Cox’s Bazar Hotel, Motel and Guest House Owners Association, said the growing number of hotels had eased accommodation shortages. He urged owners to charge reasonable rates and ensure good service.
Tourists from Chattogram and Narsingdi called for cleaner beaches and reasonable food prices, citing litter and high costs.
Tourism entrepreneur Hossainul Islam Bahadur hoped ship services to Saint Martin’s Island would resume in winter. Karim Ullah Kalim, general secretary of the Cox’s Bazar district branch of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), stressed environmental protection.
“Protecting the island’s environment and ecosystem must come first. If Saint Martin’s Island itself does not survive, what will we have left to attract tourists?” he said, calling for government-led conservation.
Beach photographer Abdur Rahim, peanut seller Sabuj Hossain and lifeguard Osman Gani hoped the peak season would improve their livelihoods. Gani said lifeguards were undergoing training ahead of the influx.
Mohammad Ali, president of the Cox’s Bazar Restaurant Owners Association, said many of the district’s more than 450 restaurants remained underused on weekdays. Owners were preparing for winter and had been urged to maintain food quality.
Jainal Abedin, a tourism entrepreneur, hoped improved rail connectivity, including an additional Dhaka–Cox’s Bazar train service scheduled to begin on the 26th instant, would attract more visitors.
Abu Morshed Chowdhury Khoka, former president of the Cox’s Bazar Chamber of Commerce, estimated annual revenue from tourism-related businesses at around Tk 12 billion. He called for better facilities at Cox’s Bazar Airport and stronger security to attract foreign tourists.
The Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation is organising the carnival from November 1, 2026, to January 31, 2027, to attract domestic and international visitors.
Mohammad Abdur Rouf Mia, joint secretary at the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, said the event would cover 35 acres at Hotel Shaibal, including the beachfront and adjoining pine forest.
Mohammad Gani Ul Azam, director (commercial) of the corporation, said attractions would include food stalls, a craft village, yoga and meditation, children’s activities, camping, an open-air cinema, virtual reality, kayaking, go-karting, beach sports and sand sculptures. Special programmes would mark Victory Day, Christmas and the New Year, while an open-air theatre would host performances and sunset music.
Mohammad Samiuzzaman, chairman of the corporation, said the carnival aimed to promote Cox’s Bazar internationally and increase foreign arrivals. Spellbound Communications Limited is managing the event.
Abdul Shukkur, president of the Cox’s Bazar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, called for more nighttime entertainment and live music, citing Phuket and Pattaya in Thailand, Langkawi in Malaysia, Goa in India and Bali in Indonesia.
Ahidur Rahman, PPM, additional superintendent of police in Cox’s Bazar, said Tourist Police, district police and the Special Reserve Battalion would jointly strengthen security. Surveillance would increase at transport hubs and major tourist attractions, using plainclothes teams, information technology and night-vision cameras.
Mohammad Abdul Mannan, deputy commissioner of Cox’s Bazar, said three teams led by executive magistrates would patrol tourist areas to prevent harassment and overcharging, taking immediate action against offenders.
Local MP Lutfur Rahman Kajal said a high-level committee had been formed to promote Cox’s Bazar internationally. Coordinated planning could turn the district into an economic hub, he said, adding that he was working with the Prime Minister’s team to promote Bangladesh’s tourism sector abroad. #EK