Tourists throng Ctg, CHT, Cox's Bazar

CHATTOGRAM, May 05: A large number of tourists from across the country have gathered in Chattogram and its adjoining districts -- Cox's Bazar, Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari - during the long Eid-ul-Fitr vacation.
The Eid vacation officially began on May 2, but people started enjoying the vacation from April 28, including holidays of Shab-e-Qadr, weekly holidays, and May Day. Many people are enjoying almost 10 days of vacation in this Eid up to May 7 by managing one-day leave on Thursday.
The sea-city Cox's Bazar and CHT districts - Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari - are now replete with tourists, including many foreigners. Many tourists have also come to visit the port-city Chattogram during the vacation of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Besides, the local people of Chattogram region are going to their nearby tourist spots during the Eid vacation.
The tourists are gathering at various spots and enjoying the long Eid holiday with their near and dear ones. They are also gathering at the markets for buying souvenirs, clothes of Rakhains, ornaments and showpieces.
Dilruba Dipti, a city dweller - who came to Foy's Lake with her children - said, "Despite the pressure of children's annual examination, we've come to celebrate the Eid vacation at Foy's Lake. My children are enjoying the rides here."
Kamal Ahamed, a school teacher, said, "I've come to visit Patenga beach with my wife to pass some beautiful time. I am enjoying roaring sea and fresh air here."
Waker Uddin, a dweller of Patenga area, said, "Every year, a large number of tourists throng the sea beach during the Eid holidays. This year, the number of tourists here is more than the previous years."
On the other hand, numerous people from different districts of the country have come to Cox's Bazar during the Eid vacation. Some of the tourists are visiting Saint Martin Island and Teknaf.
All hotels, resorts and guesthouses of the district are full of tourists. There is no vacancy at any hotel or guesthouse now, sources said.
Additional DIG of Tourist Police Mohammed Muslim said, "The tourist police members have taken special measures along with the district police to ensure security of the tourists, who're visiting Cox's Bazar in Eid."
The teams of tourist police are now patrolling the beach areas and the seaside resorts of Cox's Bazar to provide additional security to holidaymakers, he added.
Shah Alam Chowdhury, a hotel owner in Cox's Bazar, told the Financial Express that all rooms of the hotels and resthouses were booked 15 days before the Eid-ul-Fitr.
"Many people come here to enjoy as tourists throughout the year. Moreover, the Eid holidays are also the peak time for tourism. So, the gathering of tourists in Cox's Bazar is more than usual now," he added.
The weather is pleasant during the Eid-ul-Fitr this year. So, a huge number of tourists have come to the tourist spots in Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari to enjoy the vacation, tourists said.

[email protected]