Record number of flights land in Cox’s Bazar airport
Tourists complain hotels are not providing discounts
During the week-long tourism fair and three-day government holidays, Cox’s Bazar is witnessing a massive influx of tourists.
In addition to the beach, visitors are exploring various attractions within the district.
Tourist police and various law enforcement agencies are diligently ensuring the safety of the visitors.
Officials have mentioned that the number of tourists is expected to surge as the beach carnival events will continue until October 3.
The influx of passengers heading to enjoy the week-long tourism fair has been managed both by road and air transportation.
Cox’s Bazar airport Manager Golam Mortuza Hasan stated that Thursday saw a record number of flights arriving at Cox’s Bazar Airport.
In the last two days, a total of 49 Biman Bangladesh Airlines flights from different parts of the country, including Dhaka and Sylhet, have landed at Cox’s Bazar Airport. It surpassed all past records at the airport. Since Thursday morning alone, 24 flights have taken off from the airport as well.
While talking to Sohel, Arman and Rimon, three friends who came to Cox’s Bazar from Comilla, said they came to visit the beach city after learning about the tourist fair.
They said they did not get discounts on rooms in many hotels and had to book a room with additional money.
Sajib and Rekhamoni, a couple from Dhaka’s Mohammadpur said they also did not get any discounts on rooms which was advertised for the tourism week.
They added the price of food in the hotels was also the same as before.
Moukhin Khan, general secretary of Cox’s Bazar Kalatoli Hotel-Motel Owners Association, said millions of tourists have gathered in Cox’s Bazar due to the three-day government holiday and the week-long tourism fair and beach carnival.
“At least 100,000 tourists are staying in Cox’s Bazar and 90% of the rooms of hotels and motels are booked. Along with the beach and fair premises, other tourist spots are full of visitors as well,” he added.
Zillur Rahman, superintendent of Tourist Police in Cox’s Bazar, said: “The police are working sincerely for the tourism fair and beach carnival on the occasion of World Tourism Day. We are always alert about the overall safety of the tourists.”
Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shaheen Imran said: “Mobile courts are working in the field to prevent harassment of tourists visiting Cox’s Bazar.”
Legal actions will be taken if any harassment is reported, he added.
The world’s longest sea beach, Cox’s Bazar, is hosting a seven-day beach carnival and tourism fair to mark World Tourism Day from Thursday.
The carnival and fair will be organized at Laboni Point, where 200 stalls have already been installed.
Participating in the events are hotels, motels, restaurants, tour operators, and various other organizations. The convener of the fair, Additional District Magistrate Md Yamin Hossain, said the aim is to bolster tourism in Cox’s Bazar.
The theme of the event will be “Environmental Friendly Investment in Tourism”.
All hotels, motels, and guest houses are to offer a 60% discount for guests from Thursday to October 3.
Source: Dhaka Tribune.