Gofran Palash, Kalapara (Patuakhali) Correspondent

KUAKATA, PATUAKHALI, May 29, 2026: The sandy shores of Kuakata in Patuakhali experienced a massive influx of thousands of vacationers as families and travellers gathered to celebrate the Eid-ul-Azha holidays. Although the footfall on Thursday was lower than expected, a surge in tourist arrivals began early Friday morning, breathing life into the coastal destination.

A tour of the beach front revealed a vibrant festive atmosphere, with crowds of holidaymakers splashing through the breaking waves at the Zero Point. Couples and families were seen strolling along the expansive coastline or relaxing on rented lounge chairs to take in the panoramic maritime views. Children stayed entertained by building sandcastles, creating a lively scenery across the shore. The rush of visitors was not confined to Zero Point alone; neighboring ecological hotspots, including Lembur Bon (Lembu Forest), the Jhau Bon (Tamarisk Forest), and Gangamati beach, also reported heavy tourist traffic.

Hotel and motel operators reported a substantial influx of expected guests starting Friday afternoon. With bookings rising rapidly, hospitality entrepreneurs are optimistic about hosting over a hundred thousand tourists over the extended holiday weekend.

"We came to Kuakata with the family to make the most of the Eid break," said Nayanika Ahmed, a traveler visiting from Dhaka’s Uttara with her spouse. "It has been an incredible experience—walking along the endless beach, swimming in the sea, and enjoying local street food like fish fry, chotpoti, and fuchka under the beach umbrellas. Watching the sunset and sunrise with loved ones will make this trip a truly unforgettable memory."

Abdul Motaleb Sharif, President of the Kuakata Hotel-Motel Owners' Association, remarked, "Like previous years, Kuakata has turned festive with the arrival of holidaymakers. Room bookings across residential hotels and resorts have peaked. We are maintaining our highest standards of hospitality to ensure a comfortable stay for all our guests."

Ensuring a hassle-free experience remains a priority for the local administration. Kuakata Municipal Administrator, Yasin Sadek, stated, "Law enforcement agencies are on high alert to guarantee absolute security for our visitors. Multiple teams from the local Police, Tourist Police, and Detective Branch (DB) are actively patrolling the zones. Additionally, dedicated executive magistrates are running mobile courts on-site to monitor services, prevent overcharging, and maintain public order."