Swarms of Eid tourists from Sajek to Sundarbans

The long Eid holidays painted Bangladesh in vibrant hues of celebration, adventure, and natural beauty. While the first two days of Eid were relatively quiet, the crowds swelled from the third day and continued unabated on the fourth.

Across the country, tourists thronged popular destinations, with sea beachers of Cox's Bazar, Khagrachhari's hills, the dense mangroves of the Sundarbans, and the historic Sixty Dome Mosque in Bagerhat witnessing a lively surge in visitors. 

Khagrachhari hills alive with holiday footfalls

Khagrachhari's hills and waterfalls came alive as tourists returning from the scenic Sajek Valley explored Alutila Cave, the Horticulture Park, and Risang Waterfall. Queues of CNGs and pickups stretched across Alutila's entrance, with staff reporting over 3,000 visitors in a single day.

The surge created an acute accommodation crunch. Hundreds arriving without bookings spent nights on verandas, in locals' homes, clubhouses, or even open spaces. Motijoy Tripura of the Sajek Resort & Cottage Owners Association said, "There are about 111 resorts and cottages in Sajek. From 22 to 28 March, all are fully booked." 

Nearly 6,500 tourists visited Sajek on Monday alone, with another 3,500 arriving the next day, exceeding the area's 5,500-person overnight capacity.

Fuel shortages affected transport, forcing some to return to Khagrachhari. Sub-Inspector Nishat Roy of the Tourist Police said, "We patrol 24 hours to ensure safety, with intensified patrols and active emergency services."

Rakibul Hasan from Chattogram said, "Khagrachhari's natural beauty always draws me." Nusrat Jahan from Dhaka added, "Escaping the city's chaos among hills, waterfalls, and greenery is refreshing."

Sundarbans: Mangrove majesty in motion

The Unesco World Heritage Sundarbans drew visitors to ecotourism hubs like Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Centre and Alibanda. Karamjal, the most accessible site, attracted the largest numbers, with tourists exploring foot trails, climbing watch towers, and observing captive crocodiles, deer, and freely roaming wildlife.

Other sites – including Hiron Point, Katka, Kochikhali, Dubla Char, and Andharmanik – also saw unusually high visitor traffic, stretching the limited forest guards. Raihan and his spouse from Dhaka noted, "The forest is beautiful, but broken trails and piled-up leaves pose risks. Security should be strengthened."

Karamjal acting officer Azad Kabir reported that around 12,000 tourists visited Karamjal over four days, generating significant revenue, and said services and safety were maintained within capacity, though infrastructure improvements are needed to sustain growth.

Cox's Bazar: Tides of joy and togetherness

Cox's Bazar welcomed over 350,000 tourists in three days following Eid. From Laboni to Kolatoli, visitors enjoyed beach bikes, horse rides, jet skis, or leisurely strolls along the shore, capturing photos and selfies. 

Raihanur Rahman from Dhaka said, "I have never seen so many people or such hustle and bustle on the shore. It feels great to see the joy of so many people." A group from Sylhet estimated nearly 200,000 visitors at once using a drone.

Safety was maintained despite the crowds. Md Imtiaz Ahmed of the Sea Safe Lifeguard Organisation noted the challenge of securing over 100,000 bathers daily with just 27 staff. 

Tourist Police patrolled beaches, hotels, and entertainment zones around the clock. Tourists also explored Marine Drive, Himchhari, Inani, Ramu, Maheshkhali, Dulahazara Safari Park, and the Burmese Market, with no incidents reported.

Sixty Dome Mosque: Heritage bursting at the seams

The 650-year-old Sixty Dome Mosque in Bagerhat saw record crowds. Thousands of domestic and international visitors explored the complex, photographed its architecture, and enjoyed the surrounding grounds, while children played nearby.

Mehedi from Munshiganj shared, "Seeing this historic monument has been a lifelong wish, and the environment is beautiful."

Custodian Md Zayed reported 22,760 visitors over four days, generating Tk627,910 in revenue. Managing the large crowds posed challenges despite the support of tourists and district police.