COX'S BAZAR, May 01: Cox's Bazar Beach, the longest unbroken natural sea beach in the world, has become lively with a massive influx of tourists during the Eid-ul-Azha holiday, instilling a new life into the country's tourism economy. As far as the eye can see, the beach is brimming with visitors revelling in the festive recess. Braving intense heat and scorching sunshine, holidaymakers in their thousands flocked to the shoreline feasting their eyes on the Bay of Bengal's waves and scenic beauty.
Many were seen swimming in the sea, spending quality time with family members, riding horses, enjoying rides on beach bikes, and taking part in various recreational activities.
Although tourist arrivals remained relatively low during the first two days of Eid, the situation changed dramatically from the third day of the holiday. Popular beach points, including Sugandha, Laboni, Kolatoli, Darianagar and Himchari, witnessed overwhelming crowds throughout Saturday.
The surge in visitors' crowd has revitalised the entire beach area, providing a much-needed boost to business of hotels, restaurants, transport operators and small commercial enterprises that depend heavily on tourism.
For many Bangladeshis, Eid holiday is synonymous with family vacations, and Cox's Bazar remains one of the country's most popular travel destinations.
Visitors from different parts of the country gathered at the beach to enjoy sea bathing, photography, outdoor games and various entertainment activities.
Ahmed Sultan, a tourist from Dhaka, said Cox's Bazar remains his first choice for holiday travel.
"The vast blue sea and the breathtaking natural beauty create an experience that is difficult to describe. The sound of the waves is something that must be felt from the heart. That unique feeling keeps bringing me back to Cox's Bazar," he said.
Shahin Delowar, who traveled from Dinajpur, said the festive atmosphere created by the large crowds made his trip even more enjoyable.
"I also experienced horse riding on the beach. It was a little intimidating at first, but ultimately a very exciting experience," he said. Monirul Islam and his wife, visitors from Rajshahi, said spending time at the beach with loved ones made their Eid holiday special.
"We enjoyed horse riding, beach bike rides and other recreational activities. The environment and natural beauty here made our trip even more memorable," Monirul said.
Shahid Selim, who arrived from Cumilla with his family, said the trip provided a valuable opportunity to spend quality time with his wife and children.
"The beach offers a wonderful environment for families. We are truly enjoying our holiday," he said. The influx of tourists has also reinvigorated the local businesses.
Jafar Alam, a jet ski operator, said the increase in visitors' volume was encouraging after a period of sluggish business activity.
"We are delighted to see so many tourists on the beach again. If the crowds continue over the next few days, business will improve significantly. Tourist numbers had declined recently, partly because of the Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations. The Eid holiday rush is helping us recover from those losses," he said. Beach photographer Rahim Uddin echoed similar sentiments.
"Visitors' volume was low before Eid, but now business is thriving. We are earning a decent income every day and hope the crowds will continue throughout the holiday period," he said. Meanwhile, ensuring safety of the large number of visitors has become a major responsibility for lifeguards, who are maintaining constant vigilance and urging tourists to remain within designated safe swimming zones.
Md. Imtiaz Ahmed, project officer of Sea Safe Lifeguard Service, said tidal conditions had increased wave heights slightly, but there was currently no significant risk for beachgoers.
"Many tourists are entering the sea for bathing. To ensure their safety, 27 lifeguards are working tirelessly along the beach. A three-tier security and safety system is also in place," he said.
Officials believe tourists' number may continue to rise during the remaining days of the Eid holiday. Visitors have been advised to remain cautious while swimming and to follow lifeguards' instructions at all times.
The festive atmosphere has transformed Cox's Bazar into a vibrant gathering place for travellers from across Bangladesh. The renewed influx of tourists is not only enlivening the country's premier beach destination but also providing a significant boost to the local tourism-driven economy.
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