Staff Reporter:
Tourist spots across the country are set to witness a surge of visitors during the upcoming Eid holidays, as many people plan trips with family and friends during the extended break.
Stakeholders say this year will be no exception, with popular destinations such as Cox’s Bazar, Kuakata, Sylhet, the Chattogram Hill Tracts and the haor regions expecting a large influx of tourists during the seven-day government holiday.
Cox’s Bazar, the country’s premier tourist destination, is set to offer visitors a refreshed experience this Eid.
Local businesspeople said the beach has become significantly more open after authorities removed illegal makeshift shops and structures that had long occupied the sand dunes.
With the floating shops gone, the vast stretch of sand dunes and uninterrupted views of the sea are now clearly visible from the road, enhancing the natural beauty of the coastline.
Tourism stakeholders believe the changes will allow visitors to better enjoy the beach, which had previously been obstructed by rows of makeshift structures.
Mukim Khan, general secretary of the Cox’s Bazar Hotel Resort Owners Association, told the Daily Sun that 60-70 lakh tourists visit the destination annually, with most heading to the beach at least once.
However, many had expressed dissatisfaction over illegal structures that not only marred the scenery but also harmed the environment.
He said around 700 to 800 metres of beachfront south of Sugandha Point had been occupied by such shops, making the area congested.
“Now that the beach has been cleared, tourists will be able to spend time more comfortably, and marine pollution is also expected to decrease,” he added.
Monju Bin Afghan, executive magistrate of the Cox’s Bazar district administration and acting officer of the tourism cell, said 630 illegal shops and structures were removed during a three-day drive.
He added that no new structures would be allowed on the recovered sand dunes.
Environmentalists welcomed the move. Leaders of the Cox’s Bazar district unit of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) said illegal structures at Sugandha, Laboni and Kolatoli points had long damaged the beach’s ecological balance, and their removal is a significant step toward conservation.
Meanwhile, the Tourist Police have stepped up preparations to ensure visitor safety during the holidays.
According to officials, around 1,500 Tourist Police members will be deployed at 107 key tourist spots across 33 districts. A 24-hour control room will be in operation, supported by mobile teams and strengthened intelligence surveillance.
Watchtowers and help desks will be set up at major tourist sites, while rescue teams will remain on standby in coastal areas.
Emergency response arrangements, including coordination with the Fire Service and standby ambulances with medical teams, have also been put in place.
