From 6K to 50K visitors: Ctg entertainment centres rebound big during Eid holidays
Holidaymakers have crowded almost every popular tourist, entertainment spot in the city
On a usual day, the Chhattogram Zoo gets around 2,000 to 2,500 visitors. But in the last three days, the number of total visitors shot up to over 50,000, averaging a staggering 16,000 a day.
The remarkable surge in visitors is owed to the long holidays announced by the government during this Eid-ul-Fitr, allowing people to spend more time with their families and loved ones and explore the entertainment centres.
"The pressure may ease slightly from tomorrow. However, we expect visitor turnout to remain high until Saturday," Chattogram Zoo Curator Shahadat Hossain Shuvo told The Business Standard today (2 April).
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The zoo, spanning over an area of 10.2 acres, has a total of 18 tigers, including five white tigers, a pair of hippos, kangaroos and various species of animals and birds, making it an attractive place for family outings.
Not just the zoo, holidaymakers have crowded almost every popular tourist, entertainment spot in the city.
The city's Foys Lake, Sea World (water park), DC Park, Patenga sea beach, Swadhinata Park, Prajapati Park, the beach along the toll road from Fauzdarhat to Patenga, the area surrounding the Karnaphuli River, Boat Club, Naval Area, Karnaphuli Tunnel, Anwar Parki sea beach, Well Agro Park, Matita, Cafe 24, and Bhatiyari's Sunset Point were all seen crowded with visitors today.
Bishwajit Ghosh, public relations officer of Foys Lake Amusement Park, told TBS that 2,000 people visited Foys Lake, Sea World, and Foys Lake Base Camp from noon to evening on Eid and the number increased to 6,000 on both the second and third day.
"We expect the pressure of visitors to continue until Saturday. The resort's 40 rooms are 80-100% booked until 10-12 April. Especially expatriates want a better environment when they come to the country. Their bookings are higher this time," he added.
Tourist spots outside the city are also witnessing a massive surge in visitors.
In Mirsarai upazila, Khoiyachra waterfall, Napitta Chha waterfall, Mahamaya Eco Park, Arshi Nagar Future Park, Hills Dale Multi Farm, Mirsarai Economic Zone and the nearby sea beach have been bustling with tourists since Eid day.
In addition, tourists visiting the village during the Eid holidays are visiting various spots, including Guliahali and Sahasradhara waterfall in Sitakunda, various tea gardens in Fatikchhari, and Sheikh Russell Aviary Park in Rangunia.
Sitakunda Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Abdullah Al Mamoon told TBS that a large number of people are visiting the tourist spots in Sitakunda, including Bhatiari, DC Park, and Guliahali Sea Beach. "Necessary measures have been taken by the upazila administration."
Superintendent of Chattogram Tourist Police Uttam Prasad Pathak told TBS that the number of tourists is high due to the prolonged Eid closure.
"People are especially flocking to the vast beach points of Chattogram, including Patenga Sea Beach, Parki Sea Beach, and various nearby tourist spots from morning to evening. Alongside help desks, tourist police in plain clothes are working at the watch towers at the tourist spots," he said.
