Eid rush fuels domestic tourism
This year’s Eid travel is not only focused on family reunions but is also contributing to increased domestic tourism, as many travellers are planning extended holidays after Eid
ATT Correspondent 
The annual Eid-ul-Azha travel rush has started gaining momentum across Bangladesh, with thousands of people leaving Dhaka for their hometowns and popular tourist destinations, leading to a sharp rise in passenger movement on roads, railways and highways.
Transport operators and tourism stakeholders said this year’s Eid travel is not only focused on family reunions but is also contributing to increased domestic tourism, as many travellers are planning extended holidays after Eid.
Major bus terminals, railway stations and highways witnessed heavy crowds on Saturday as passengers began their journeys early to avoid last-minute congestion ahead of the festival.
At Gabtoli, Mohakhali, Sayedabad and other major terminals in the capital, long-distance buses carried thousands of passengers to northern, southern and coastal districts, while railway stations also faced heavy pressure from homebound travellers.
Officials said routes linked to tourist destinations such as Cox’s Bazar, Kuakata, Sylhet and the hill districts are expected to see increased passenger flow in the coming days as families combine Eid holidays with leisure trips.
Deputy Commissioner of Mirpur Traffic Division Md Sanowar Hossain said law enforcement agencies had intensified monitoring at terminals and major highways to ensure smoother Eid travel.
Additional members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and traffic police have been deployed at congestion-prone areas, toll plazas and transport hubs to manage passenger movement and maintain security.
Railway authorities said special Eid trains had been introduced to accommodate growing travel demand, while all train tickets continued to be sold online to ease passenger management.
Bangladesh Railway Director General Engineer Md Afzal Hossain said adequate measures had been taken to minimise schedule disruptions during the Eid period.
Transport operators said passenger pressure was steadily increasing, although the overall situation remained manageable.
Industry insiders believe the Eid season plays a major role in boosting Bangladesh’s domestic tourism economy every year, benefiting transport operators, hotels, restaurants and small businesses in regional destinations.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has instructed transport operators to strictly follow driver working-hour regulations to reduce accident risks during the busy Eid travel period.
Despite occasional train delays and traffic congestion, passengers expressed optimism about reaching their destinations safely as the country prepares for one of its largest annual travel movements.
