Tourism opens in Cox’s Bazar

Publish: 10:09 PM, August 18, 2021 | Update: 10:09 PM, August 18, 2021

Safiul Alam, Cox’s Bazar Correspondent
After a long pause, Cox’s Bazar, a tourism hotspots of the country, is being opened for tourists from August 19. However, guests and tourists have to abide by some conditions. From today, the roar of the sea can be heard standing in front of the blue water beach. From riding on the waves to watching sunsets, recreational activities can be resumed from now on.

The tourism and entertainment center in Cox’s Bazar district has been closed for four and a half months since April 1. Tourist centers, resorts, community centers and recreation centers will be open from August 19. However, visitors can enter half of the capacity.

The government’s decision was announced in an order of the Cabinet Division on August 12. As a result, long-standing restrictions no longer exist. The city will once again be buzzing with the noise of tourists.

The people concerned are hoping that the tourism industry of Cox’s Bazar will turn around after recovering from the wounds of lockdown.
Abul Qasim Sikder, general secretary of the Cox’s Bazar Hotel-Motel and Guest Owners’ Association, said that in order to make the tourism sector risk-free, they have been informed about the hygiene rules by visiting hotel and motel guest houses.

Half of the rooms in each hotel will be rented in accordance with the hygiene rules. The other half will be empty.
He added that the tourism industry in Cox’s Bazar has been severely damaged due to the four-and-a-half-month lockdown. However, it has been decided to open tourism, they will try to turn around. Every year after Eid, there is a crowd of tourists, but during the last two Eids, all kinds of tourist centers were closed due to lockdown. As a result, the tourism-related people are constantly counting the losses.

In this regard, the general secretary of the Cox’s Bazar Hotel Motel Officers’ Association, Kalim Ullah Kalim, said that the damage done to Cox’s Bazar’s tourism during the shutdown was irreparable. Everybody in this sector are keeping high hopes as the tourist spots will open.

Cox’s Bazar Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Abu Sufian said that tourism is being opened from August 19 as per the conditions of the notification. However, in that case, the concerned will have to rent half the capacities of hotels, motels and resorts. One hundred percent hygiene rules must be obeyed. Opening up the tourism sector means increasing the responsibilities of those involved in tourism.

Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md Mamunur Rashid said legal action would be taken against any organization that did not comply with the conditions or neglected hygiene rules after the opening of tourism.