Cox's Bazar, Sylhet abuzz with Durga Puja holidaymakers

Overwhelming crowds of tourists flocked into the recreation spots of Cox's Bazar and Sylhet districts during the Durga Puja holiday on Wednesday and Thursday added with the subsequent weekend on Friday and Saturday.

In Cox's Bazar, the country's most popular tourist destination, Laboni, Sugandha and Kalatali beach points were cramped with multitudes of tourists.

Braving the hostile weather, a large number of holidaymakers from different parts of the country swarmed into the sea beach and other nearby tourist attractions.

The business entities in the tourist town are counting billions of taka turnover for the sales boom during these days.

Many of the tourists grappled with a severe accommodation crisis in the hotels, motels and guesthouses as rooms in them had been booked before September 28.

Tickets were also not easily available for buses and trains.

Mahmudul Islam, a tourist from Dhaka, said that despite planning for a long time in advance, it was difficult to avail tickets for non-AC buses in the end. However, they passed a happy time with their family.

Sameer Mallick, a holidaymaker from Bogra, said that due to the extreme pressure of additional tourists, it was quite difficult to get a room.

However, it was great to come to Cox's Bazar as they got a solace from the intolerable heat in Dhaka.

Monir Ahmed, a tourist from Narsingdi, said, "I had a great time in Inani with my family. I see rain as an extra joy in this season."

Mohammad Salahuddin, a private sector employee, said, "It was a great experience to get wet in the waves of the sea and the rain. The sea is quite beautiful to see at this time."

In addition to the beach of Cox's Bazar, holidaymakers also visited various tourist spots including Inani, Himchhari, Patowartek, Teknaf, Dulahazara Safari Park, Maheshkhali Adinath Temple and Ramu Buddhist Temple.

Porimal Chandra and Shanti Biswas, a couple from Rajshahi, said that they came to Cox's Bazar for the Puja vacation.

Seeing the big waves of the sea up close is a new experience in proximity to nature. However, they commented that the prices of food in some hotels were high.

Abul Kashem Sikder, president of the Hotel-Motel Owners Association, said that room bookings ended a few days ago. There will be no rooms available anywhere until October 8. Owners have been instructed not to charge additional rent.

Abu Taleb Shah, general manager of Star Hotel in Cox's Bazar, said that all the hotel rooms are booked for the next week. This time, a large number of tourists have come to visit during the puja holiday and weekend. There has been a boom in business and commerce.

Additional DIG of the Tourist Police Cox's Bazar region Mohammad Apel Mahmud said, "A sufficient number of police personnel have been deployed so that criminals cannot take advantage of the huge crowds of tourists. Law enforces in plainclothes are actively present at every intersection of the tourist zone. Operations are underway at identified tourist spots to prevent theft and robbery."

"RAB and district police are working alongside the tourist police. At the same time, a mobile court is working under the district administration in coordination with magistrates. Overall, the administration has created a safe travel zone for tourists," he added.

The district administration's tourism cell, tourist police and lifeguard members are working round the clock for the safety of tourists.

Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md. Abdul Mannan said, "Keeping the tourists in mind, security measures have been taken at three levels on the beach. Law enforcement agencies are working in a coordinated way. We are working to make the travel of the incoming tourists smooth, enjoyable and safe."

Abu Morshed Chowdhury, president of the Cox's Bazar Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, "There has been a surge in tourist flow in Cox's Bazar during this year's Durga Puja and weekly government holiday. It is estimated that billions of taka can be turned over by the businesses in the tourism sector during this puja vacation."

In Sylhet, as the country people were enjoying the four-day holiday for Durga Puja and weekend, huge crowds of visitors thronged the Sylhet tourist spots; while many people could not manage hotel accommodation even.

Some others were frustrated failing to get train tickets.

Suffering was extreme on roads as traffic congestion was acute on the Dhaka-Sylhet highway with major repair work going on at places.

Amid a favourable weather, the number of tourists exceeded the sector's target this time, officials and tour operators said, adding the country's political situation helped people feel better for months.

Most of them took the chance this time for visiting Sylhet region having various natural sites and attractive locations all over the four districts.

Tour operators said all the hotels, rest houses and resorts had been booked earlier for the four-day holiday.

Alongside the people from different professions, public and private company officials and employees from various districts rushed to Sylhet with their families to enjoy themselves. However a good majority of them were from the capital.

Tour operator Ataur Rahman said that a huge number of tourists gathered in Sylhet as well as in Moulvibazar, Habiganj and Sunamganj to enjoy at different spots.

The tourists had booked hotels-rest house and resorts in Sylhet through various means.

Abidul Haque from Manikganj said, "I had to book hotel room for 4/5 persons in Srimangal, 10 days before as rush was too much. We traveled to Ratargul, Jafflong and Lalakhal too."

Sylhet Guest House and Hotel Owners Association officials said that the weather was albeit better after days of hot and comfortable for the visitors this time.

Some hoteliers in Sylhet said that they expect a good business too in the coming winter when a large number of tourists would visit the region.

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