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Tourist hubs back to real look


Published : 29 Aug 2020 08:46 PM | Updated : 04 Sep 2020 09:52 PM

Anxious to rejuvenate an economy crippled by Covid-19 and bring millions of people back to work, Bangladesh has reopened almost all its tourist spots and centres after five months long shutdown due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

While encouraging people to visit the tourist spots by following enhanced hygiene measures, the authorities concerned are also geared to carefully watch the prevailing coronavirus infections to avert any further spread of the deadly virus. 

Many of the tourist spots, including Cox's Bazar, have been reopened since August 17. Tourist spots at Kuakata, Bandarban, Khagrachhari, Chalanbil, Haltibil,  Madhabkunda, Lauyachhara, Bichanakandi, Ratargul, Jaflong, TanguarHaor, HakalukirHaor, Green Tea Garden and other attractive locations have also been reopened, even though prevailing coronavirus infections.

Hotels, motels, cottages, restaurants, tourism industry related business establishments and leisure centers are now busy with the tourists from across the country. People of all ages are walking around the tourist centers following the hygiene rules. 

Another important tourist spot of the country, Sajek Valley of Rangamati, which is called the Darjeeling in Bangladesh, is going to be opened from September 1.

According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, the tourism industry of the country came to a staggering halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the sector incurring a loss of about Tk 14,000 crore. 

According to the Bangladesh Tourism Board, 4 million people involving in this sector went out of job. With the opening of the tourist centres, everyone of this sector has started seeing hope to survive. As a result, the tourism-dependent economy has further revived. 

The tourism industry of the country, in the last few years, has made a significant progress through infrastructural development, use of information technology and development of security system as well as for the political and social stability.

Dr. Mohammad Badruzzaman Bhuiyan, Chairman of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management of Dhaka University, said country's natural and cultural resources could be a key component of tourism industry in Bangladesh. 

The DU teacher said, “Our country is rich in diversity, including mountains, rivers, seas, forests and haors. If these resources are planned properly, the number of domestic as well as foreign tourists will increase in this country.”

“However, to increase the number of foreign tourists, we need to simplify the current visa process. We need to make our airports and land ports activities more tourist-friendly”, he said, continuing “If we can pay more attention to the indicators on which our country is lagging behind, Bangladesh will be able to make further progress in this industry in the near future.”

Witnesses said thousands of tourists have been thronging Cox's Bazar everyday since the lifting of the ban. The entire beach area and hotel-motel zones including Dolphin Junction, Laboni Point, Seine Point and Kalatali and are now buzzing with tourists.

Meanwhile, the authorities concerned have arranged enough steps for corona related awareness, but some of the travelers and traders are still unaware of it. 

Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Md. Kamal Hossain said the tourism industry has been reopened on a limited scale since August 17 in light of the decision of the Corona Infection Prevention Committee meeting held on August 5. Strict instructions have been provided to all concerned, including tourists, to follow the hygiene rules while traveling.

“There will be a strict focus on business activities as well as tourists. Action will be taken against anyone who would violate hygiene rules. Mobile court operation will remain continued to check whether hygienic rules are maintained”, said the DC.

The DC said, “If corona infection rate increases for any reason, tourism will be stopped again. All traders have been given a 65-point directives and if anyone disobeys those instructions, action will be taken according to the law.”