Kuakata gears up to welcome Eid tourists
Hotel and motel operators have taken various initiatives to make the holiday experience more enjoyable for visitors, while the local administration has introduced measures to ensure security
ATT Correspondent 
Tourism stakeholders in Kuakata are expecting a huge influx of visitors during the upcoming seven-day Eid-ul-Azha holiday, with local businesses and authorities completing extensive preparations to accommodate tourists at the country’s popular beach destination.
Hotel and motel operators have taken various initiatives to make the holiday experience more enjoyable for visitors, while the local administration has introduced measures to ensure security, traffic management and overall discipline in the beach area.
Tourism-related businesses in Kuakata believe at least 200,000 tourists may visit the beach during the Eid holidays this year, especially following improved connectivity after the opening of the Padma Bridge, Bangladesh Monitor reported.
Hossain Amir, general secretary of the Kuakata Tourism Management Association (KUTUM), said Kuakata remains unique because visitors can enjoy both sunrise and sunset from the same location.
“Travelling to Kuakata from Dhaka now takes less time than travelling to Cox’s Bazar. That is why more travellers are choosing Kuakata,” he said.
A visit to the beach town on Wednesday showed hotels and motels being decorated ahead of the holiday rush. Many establishments have renovated their interiors, while cleaning and beautification work is continuing across the tourist zone. Shop owners are also busy decorating stores and arranging new products for visitors.
The Kalapara upazila administration has launched a special initiative to restore discipline and improve the aesthetic environment of the beach area. Small tourism-related businesses, fishing nets and boats scattered along the beach have already been relocated to designated areas.
Authorities have also taken steps to ensure cleanliness in the beach zone and regulate transport fares, including rates for hotels, restaurants, auto-rickshaws, motorbikes and auto-vans, according to administration officials.
To reduce severe traffic congestion that usually stretches from Kuakata to Alipur during peak tourist seasons, a new parking arrangement has been prepared at the under-construction bus terminal in Tulatoli.
Kuakata currently has more than 150 small and large residential hotels and motels, with accommodation capacity for around 20,000 to 25,000 tourists. Hotel operators said an additional 5,000 visitors could be accommodated during peak demand if necessary.
If tourist numbers exceed hotel capacity, some visitors may also be accommodated in nearby residential homes under community tourism arrangements.
Motaleb Sharif, general secretary of the Kuakata Hotel-Motel Owners Association, said tourist pressure has increased significantly since the opening of the Padma Bridge.
“Earlier, we could manage tourists without much preparation. But now we need extensive planning to handle the growing number of visitors,” he said.
He added that hotels had experienced a long off-season over the past few months and business owners are now hopeful of a strong Eid season.
“This year’s Eid holiday is longer. Tourists are expected to start arriving from the afternoon of Eid day. If the weather remains favourable, visitor numbers could be very high,” he added.
Tourist Police Kuakata Region In-Charge Hasnain Parvez said comprehensive security measures have been taken considering the expected tourist surge.
“We have strengthened patrols at all tourist spots around Kuakata. Fire service personnel will remain on standby, and both uniformed and plainclothes police members will be deployed to ensure tourists’ safety,” he said.
