Eid tourists still thick in Cox’s Bazar

Although the Eid-ul-Azha holiday has officially ended and offices across Bangladesh resumed work on Monday, Cox’s Bazar continues to witness a strong influx of visitors, with thousands of holidaymakers still flocking to the country's premier tourist destination.

On the fifth day of Eid celebrations, the world’s longest natural sea beach remained packed with tourists enjoying the rolling waves of the Bay of Bengal, the sandy shoreline and the festive atmosphere. From Laboni and Sugandha to Kolatoli, the beach was teeming with families, groups of friends and young travellers keen to extend their holiday experience.

Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner MA Mannan said the district administration has taken comprehensive measures to ensure the safety and comfort of visitors during the Eid holiday period.

"Despite the end of the official holiday, a large number of tourists are still visiting Cox’s Bazar. We have coordinated with law enforcement agencies, Tourist Police and other stakeholders to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors," he said.

Tourism operators say the continued flow of visitors has kept occupancy rates high, with many hotels and resorts reporting between 90 and 95 per cent room occupancy despite the end of the official holiday period.

Tourists pour into Cox’s Bazar in Eid vacation. Photo: BSS

Abul Kashem Sikder, president of the Cox’s Bazar Hotel-Motel Owners Association, said the tourism industry has received a significant boost during the Eid vacation.

"Most hotels and resorts are operating with high occupancy rates. Although advance bookings were lower than in some previous Eid seasons, tourist arrivals increased sharply after Eid, helping businesses recover and generate strong revenues," he said.

The vibrant tourist presence has injected fresh momentum into the local economy. Beach photographers, water-bike operators, horse riders, souvenir sellers and seashell craft vendors have all reported brisk business over the past several days.

Tourism stakeholders said the strong visitor turnout has provided a much-needed boost to businesses that depend heavily on seasonal tourism.

The breathtakingly beautiful Marin Drive connects Cox's Bazar city with Teknaf upazila of the district. Photo: Wikipedia 

Beyond the beach, tourists are increasingly exploring Cox’s Bazar’s diverse attractions. Popular destinations include the scenic Marine Drive, Sonadia Island, Shahporir Dwip, Teknaf Nature Park, Maheshkhali’s Adinath Temple, Ramu’s Buddhist monasteries and the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park in Dulahazara.

Industry leaders believe the growing interest in these attractions reflects a gradual transformation of Cox’s Bazar from a beach-focused destination into a more diversified tourism hub.

Rezaul Karim, president of the Tour Operators Association of Cox’s Bazar, said visitors are increasingly venturing beyond the beach.

"Tourists are now visiting Marine Drive, Sonadia Island, Maheshkhali, Teknaf and other attractions. This is helping Cox’s Bazar develop into a more diversified tourism destination and spreading economic benefits across the district," he said.

A sea of people enjoy sunset from shore of the sea. Photo: Cox's Bazar Life

Authorities have strengthened security and visitor management measures during the holiday period. Tourist Police, law enforcement agencies and lifeguard teams have been deployed across key tourist zones to ensure safety.

However, safety concerns remain a challenge as rough sea conditions persist along parts of the coast. Lifeguard officials said the limited number of personnel is making it difficult to monitor the large crowds entering the water.

The concern intensified after a tourist reportedly went missing while bathing in an unguarded section of the beach. His body was recovered the following morning, prompting renewed calls to increase the number of lifeguards and expand coverage along the coastline.

A horseman in the Cox's Bazar sea beach during sunset. Photo: Wikimedia Commons 

Fazlul Kabir, a senior lifeguard supervisor at Cox’s Bazar Beach, urged tourists to follow safety instructions before entering the sea.

"The sea remains rough in some areas. We request visitors to swim only within designated safe zones and follow lifeguard instructions. Additional lifeguard personnel would help improve safety during peak tourist periods," he said.

Despite the challenges, tourism operators remain optimistic that visitor numbers will remain strong throughout the week, helping sustain business momentum and support thousands of livelihoods linked to the tourism industry.

With the beach bustling, hotels largely occupied and tourism-related businesses enjoying robust activity, Cox’s Bazar appears set to extend its Eid tourism boom well beyond the official holiday calendar.