Tourists’ excitement at crowded Cox’s Bazar Beach : Excess money collection in everywhere alleged
Tauhidul Islam, Cox's Bazar
The distance from Laboni Point to Kalatali Point at Cox’s Bazar sea beach is approximately one and a half kilometers. Within this distance, the beach includes two other points named Sea Gull and Sugandha.
From Thursday morning until late evening, this one-and-a-half-kilometer area was abuzzed with the excitement of tourists. Despite the heat around noon, it could not dampen the enthusiasm of any visitor. The cool breeze of the beach and the flow of the blue waters seemed to wash away all the weariness of mechanical life as tourists soaked their bodies in the sea.
Apart from bathing in the sea, tourists indulged in their own expressions of joy. Some enjoyed the play of the boundless sea waves and the breeze while sitting under kitkats (beach umbrellas). Others ran around on the sandy beach, rode beach bikes, water bikes, or horses, capturing memories on their mobile phones to cherish forever.
On the fourth day of Eid, Thursday, the beach witnessed such fervor among tourists. Every point was teeming with crowds due to the overwhelming presence of visitors. However, amidst this excitement, tourists faced inconveniences and frustrations due to exorbitant room rents at residential establishments, internal transportation costs, and excessive charges at various food outlets. Yet, many tourists were seen consoling themselves, attributing the overcharging to the arrival of over a hundred thousand visitors.
Tourism-related business owners reported that on the first day of Eid, March 31, a Monday, around 30 to 40 thousand tourists visited. However, by the second day, Tuesday, the number exceeded one lakh. On the fourth day, Thursday, it is estimated that between 1.6 to 1.7 lakh tourists arrived.
Abul Kashem Sikdar, president of the Cox’s Bazar Residential Hotel, Motel, and Guest House Owners’ Association, said that the city has over 550 residential hotels, guest houses, and resorts. Based on room capacity, these establishments can accommodate an average of more than 1.8 lakh tourists daily. On Thursday, all rooms in these establishments were fully booked, hosting an estimated 1.6 lakh tourists or more. He added that tourists are expected to continue arriving until April 5, with an estimated 7.5 lakh visitors anticipated over these five days.
Acknowledging that some businesses charge extra when tourist numbers surge, he said, “We have held meetings with the administration. Hotel owners have been instructed to display room rate lists prominently. Tourists are directed to pay according to the listed rates. If there are complaints of non-compliance, the administration can investigate and take action.”
Mukim Khan, general secretary of the Cox’s Bazar Kalatali Hotel and Resort Owners’ Association, stated that from Thursday onward, there has been no vacancy in the city’s over 500 hotels and resorts. While some mid-sized hotels have 5-7% of their rooms vacant, star-rated hotels and resorts are fully occupied. This situation may lead some to attempt overcharging, and they remain vigilant about it.
A government official from Dhaka, visiting the beach and speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Visiting the beach is as joyful as it is frustrating due to overcharging. The hotel I’m staying at charged me Tk 3,500 per room last December, but this time, despite advance booking, they charged Tk 6,500. Food prices at restaurants are also excessively high. With so many tourists, I’m forced to accept it.”
Teacher Abedin Nahid remarked, “Coming to Cox’s Bazar means joy. The vast blue waters and cool breeze here relieve all fatigue from the mind, rejuvenating me for work.”
Rafiqul Anwar, a businessman from Rajshahi, said, “The sea, hills, waterfalls, Buddhist monasteries, and nature of Cox’s Bazar truly captivate the heart.”
Most arriving tourists were busy bathing in the sea. To ensure no one faces danger while swimming, lifeguards kept a watchful eye and advised visitors to follow safety guidelines. Osman Goni, supervisor of Sea Safe Lifeguard, said, “From morning to afternoon, at least a lakh tourists visited the beach, most of whom bathed in the sea.”
Tourist Police Cox’s Bazar Zone Inspector Mohammad Sohel assured proper security measures to prevent tourist harassment. He said, “Besides the sea beach, the world’s longest marine drive, Himchhari waterfall, the rocky beaches of Inani and Patuartak, the Burmese Market in the city, Adinath Temple in Maheshkhali, Bangabandhu Safari Park in Dulahazara, and Ramu’s Buddhist monastery, along with other entertainment spots in Cox’s Bazar, are bustling with tourists. Security has been strengthened everywhere, with regular patrols by district police and complaint centers established. Any complaints from tourists are being resolved swiftly by police and district administration.”
Cox’s Bazar District Police spokesperson and Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Jasim Uddin Chowdhury said, “Law enforcement is working to ensure the overall safety of tourists. Alongside operations to prevent theft and snatching in the city, police are active in easing traffic congestion and ensuring safe travel for tourists.”
Cox’s Bazar District Administrator Muhammad Salahuddin said , “To ensure that tourists visiting during the Eid holidays are not overcharged for hotel rooms or food at restaurants, multiple mobile courts led by magistrates have been deployed for monitoring. Action is being taken if complaints are found valid.”
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