Cox's Bazar, July 13: Tourists in their thousands have flocked to Cox's Bazar beach during Eid-ul-Azha holiday this year, though the crowd was smaller than those of the first two years of the pandemic period.
From afternoon to evening on Monday, the day after Eid, the panoramic sea beach comprising Laboni, Sugandha and Kalatali (Simon) points, was thronged with tourists.
But on the third and fourth days of Eid, tourist flow on the beach showed an uptrend, with a 2.00 lakh mark each day.
A good number of tourists who came to the beach to spend leisure were locals and Rohingyas.
Abul Kashem Sikder, president of Cox's Bazar Hotel-Motel Guest House-Rest House Owners Association, said, "It has not been that number of tourists that I expected to come to Cox's Bazar this year."
Asked why tourist arrivals were down this time, he said the severe flood situation in the northern region and greater Sylhet and the upcoming SSC and HSC examinations have contributed to the dwindling number of tourists.
The number of tourists fell by 10 per cent compared to last year.
He further said apart from this, a number of tourists have gone to see Padma Bridge and many have travelled to Kuakata to enjoy the natural beauty of sea beach. These are the causes of less tourist flow in Cox's Bazar.
Abu Taleb, manager of Hotel Cox Today, said, "We are still seeing arrival of less tourists at the hotel despite offering large discounts. Yet we are optimistic."
Syed Alam, a local resident who came to visit the beach, said, "Today, on the second day of Eid, I have come to enjoy the natural beauty of the sea with my family members after many years. I never get to see the sea with much interest. Though it is next to the house. The number of local and Rohingya visitors is remarkable."
"It feels good because there are not too many people here. However, behaviour of some Rohingyas seemed inconsistent. I don't understand how the Rohingyas entered the beach with the help of the police despite so much security arrangements," he added.
Mahbubur Rahman, a beach worker on duty, said this time tourist arrivals are not that much on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.
However, presence of locals and Rohingyas is quite noticeable.
Meanwhile, on the occasion of Eid, all concerned including beach works had a lot of preparations to cope with the pressure of tourists.
Now they are a bit disappointed. Presence of visitors at Laboni, Sugandha and Kalatali points on the beach was thin between afternoon and evening.
Mohammad Sifat Ullah, a C-Safe Lifeguard worker on the beach, said quite a few Rohingyas have arrived on the beach and some of them were picked, but many were walking around in disguise.
Regarding this, local and foreign tourists have expressed their displeasure.
Abdul Halim, a photographer from Kalatali Point on the beach, said, "I could make quite a good income during Eid. But last year I earned a little."
Cox's Bazar hotel and motel business leader Mukim Khan said usually many tourists do not come to Cox's Bazar during Eid-ul-Azha.
On the other hand, the number of tourists is much higher during Eid-ul-Fitr.
However, this time less tourists have arrived than last year.
It is doubtful whether the hotel owners could recover the money they spent for decoration on the occasion of Eid.
Cox's Bazar Tourist Police SP Zillur Rahman said, "Our team is stationed at different points of the beach for overall safety of tourists."
Tourist police are determined to check harassment of the tourists and to thwart any untoward incidents.
Regarding Rohingya's presence on the beach, he said some Rohingyas were detained by police and sent back to the camps.
"As soon as they come to our notice, they will be detained and legal action will be taken," he added.
Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md Mamunur Rashid said the district administration is conducting mobile court to ensure safety of tourists on the beach.
All necessary measures have been taken for the safety of tourists.
However, pressure of tourists in Cox's Bazar during this Eid is less than expected.