Holiday break boosts tourist bookings

Bangladesh's tourism industry is expecting a significant business boost as hotels and resorts report a sharp rise in advance bookings ahead of the upcoming four-day holiday break.

With a government holiday on 5 August, an optional holiday on 6 August and the weekly weekend on Friday and Saturday, thousands of people are planning short leisure trips to destinations across the country, raising expectations of one of the busiest domestic travel periods of the year.

Industry insiders said hotels, resorts and motels in popular destinations, including Cox's Bazar, Kuakata, Sylhet, Bandarban, Rangamati, Sajek and Sreemangal, are witnessing a strong booking trend, with many expecting occupancy rates of between 85 percent and 100 percent.

"We have received an overwhelming response since the holiday calendar became clear," said Tofail Ahmed, a senior official at Sayeman Beach Resort in Cox's Bazar. "More than 80 percent of our rooms have already been booked. Families are the main travellers, and we expect full occupancy during the holiday."

In the hill district of Rangamati, Parjatan Holiday Complex has also experienced rising demand.

"Our bookings have almost doubled compared with a normal week," said a resort official. "Many visitors are choosing the hills to avoid crowded beaches."

Travel agencies said enquiries for package tours have risen sharply over the past week, while transport operators reported increased reservations for buses, trains and domestic flights.

Tourism expert Touhid Hossain said domestic tourism continues to be the backbone of Bangladesh's travel industry.

"Extended public holidays always create a strong travel market. This holiday is expected to benefit not only hotels but also restaurants, transport operators, tour guides, boat operators and thousands of small businesses that depend on tourism," he said.

Officials at the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism said such holiday-driven travel plays an important role in strengthening domestic tourism and generating income for local communities.

Tourism economists said domestic tourists have become increasingly important to the industry's recovery and growth.