Cox's Bazar bustles with over 1 lakh holidaymakers on 2nd day of Eid
From early morning today (1 April), all major beach points, including the popular Sugandha Beach, have been teeming with tourists. As the day progresses, the crowd keeps growing
More than one lakh tourists have flocked to Cox's Bazar on the second day of the Eid holidays ignoring the surging temperature, tourism officials said.
From early morning today (1 April), all major beach points, including the popular Sugandha Beach, have been teeming with tourists. As the day progresses, the crowd keeps growing, making it nearly impossible to find a vacant spot along the sandy shores.
Tourists from various parts of the country have shared their excitement about visiting Cox's Bazar.
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Abedin Nahid, a teacher from Dhaka, said, "Coming to Cox's Bazar is always a joy. The vast blue ocean and the cool sea breeze wash away all exhaustion, leaving us refreshed."
Rafiqul Anwar, a businessman from Rajshahi, expressed admiration for the area's natural beauty, saying, "The combination of the sea, mountains, waterfalls, and Buddhist monasteries makes Cox's Bazar truly mesmerising."
Despite the heat, tourists remain enthusiastic, with many eager to take a dip in the sea. Some could be seen enjoying the view from under beach umbrellas, while others running along the sand, riding beach bikes, or taking photos on horseback.
According to tourism businesses, the second day of Eid has drawn massive crowds to Cox's Bazar, after the beach town saw a decline in visitors during Ramadan. Hotel and motel owners report that around 80% of rooms across 550+ establishments are booked, with full occupancy expected from the third day of Eid.
The surge of tourists is expected to continue until 5 April.
Abul Kashem Sikder, president of the Cox's Bazar Hotel Guesthouse Owners' Association, told The Business Standard, "More than 1 lakh tourists arrived today, and many more are expected by the evening. Over the next five days, around 7.5 lakh tourists are expected to visit Cox's Bazar."
Addressing concerns about overpricing, he said hotels are required to display official room rates, and most bookings are done online in advance to prevent unfair pricing.
Abdur Rahman, owner of The Sandy Beach Hotel, noted that small business owners, restaurants, and tour operators are also benefiting from the influx of visitors. However, he warned that overcrowding often leads to tourist harassment by unscrupulous vendors, advising travellers to book hotels in advance and remain cautious.
Security and tourist protection measures
With the majority of tourists spending time in the water, Seasafe Lifeguard Supervisor Osman Gani assured that lifeguards are closely monitoring the swimmers and urging them to follow safety guidelines.
To ensure tourist safety and prevent harassment, the Cox's Bazar Tourist Police Inspector Mohammad Sohel, confirmed that security has been strengthened across all popular spots.
"Besides the main beach, major attractions such as Marine Drive, Himchari Waterfall, Inani Beach, Patuartek's rocky beach, Burmese Market, Adinath Temple in Maheshkhali, Dulahazara Safari Park, and Ramu's Buddhist Monastery are packed with visitors," he said.
Both the police and district administration have set up complaint centres to address any grievances, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable holiday experience for all, the inspector added.
