Eid holiday crowd brings Kuakata beach back to life

After a period of low visitor numbers, Kuakata sea beach in Patuakhali has come alive again during the long Eid-ul-Adha vacation, drawing crowds of tourists and reviving the local economy. 

Known as the beach of sunrise and sunset, Kuakata is experiencing a festive atmosphere, bringing smiles to the faces of tourism-related businesses.

Since the day after Eid, the scenic coastal town has seen a steady influx of visitors for five consecutive days. Over 80% of hotel rooms have been booked until next Friday, according to local sources.

At the beach, the presence of tourists dominates the view. While some visitors splash in the salty waters, others relax on benches along the shoreline, engaging in light-hearted moments with loved ones.

Many are seen travelling to nearby attractions such as the confluence of three rivers, Lembur Bon, Shutki Polli, Jhau Bagan, Gangamati, Char Gangamati, and Kakrar Char using small vehicles.

"I'm visiting Kuakata for the first time," said tourist Abida Sultana Priyo. "We had planned a four-day tour, but I've extended it by another day because I fell in love with the place. Kuakata isn't as modern as Cox's Bazar, but its natural beauty surpasses it."

Bank official Nasir Uddin said, "Eid is the only time of the year when I get a long vacation. I can't afford international trips, so I travel to tourist destinations within the country with my family.

"This time, Kuakata feels different in a good way. I think the rainy season is the best time to see the sea."

Photographer Shahin Mia shared that he has been busy capturing memories for tourists. 

"I've been working from early morning till late at night. We charge Tk5 per photo."

Ruman Imtiaz Tushar, president of the Tour Operators Association of Kuakata, said, "There are over 200 residential hotels in Kuakata. Hotel bookings after Eid have been promising from a business perspective. First-class hotels are more than 70-80% booked, while second- and third-class hotels have over 50% occupancy."

"The post-Eid tourist crowd has been quite good. We expect people involved in all 16 tourism-related professions to benefit from this surge," he added. 

Taposh Chandra Roy, in-charge of the Tourist Police's Kuakata zone, said, "Tourist police are working to ensure the overall safety of visitors. Several teams are patrolling in uniform and plainclothes at different points. We are always ready to provide full security to the tourists."