Impact of storm, measles panic and ticket crisis on tourism in Srimangal
Photo Collected
Ahead of the holy Eid-ul-Azha, Srimangal of Moulvibazar, one of the most popular tourist centers in the country, is ready to welcome tourists again. In this township surrounded by diverse beauty, like every year, this year too, the concerned people expected tourists to descend on the long holiday of Eid. However, due to frequent rains, outbreak of measles across the country, shortage of train tickets and road congestion, uncertainty has arisen in Eid tourism.
According to tourism officials, there are rows of tea gardens, hills and hills in Srimangal. Among the tourist attractions are Bangladesh Tea Research Institute, Tea Museum, Hail Haor, Baikka Bill, Nilakantha Seven Color Tea Cabin, Lal Pahar, Shankar Tila, Garam Tila and Khareura Lake. Apart from this, Lauachhra National Park, Madhavpur Lake and Noorjahan Tea Gardens in neighboring Kamalganj Upazila are also one of the tourist destinations.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Ahead of Eid, various resorts, eco cottages, guest houses and hotels surrounded by hills and tea gardens are decorated with new decorations. To attract tourists, food variety has been increased and family oriented entertainment has also been put in place. However, despite the preparations, due to adverse weather conditions and health risks, anxiety is increasing among traders.
Tourism officials said that small eco cottages have relatively good bookings compared to big resorts. However, most of the big resorts are still not fully booked, so the owners are worried. They hope that the bookings will increase in the days after Eid due to the consecutive holidays.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Ankur Datta, manager of the accounting department of Novem Eco Resort in the upazila, said that the advance booking is very less compared to other years. Many tourists have booked and canceled later. Amidst frequent loadshedding, generators have to be run to provide convenience to guests, incurring additional costs.
On the other hand, Balishira Resort Manager Yashir Arafat said that many people are canceling advance bookings due to the outbreak of measles across the country. New bookings are also not coming in as expected.
Russell Alam, general secretary of Srimangal Tour Operator and Tour Guide Association, said, “Even though there is a long holiday on Eid-ul-Azha this time, there were not many foreign tourists. I have also talked to other tour guides, most of them have not yet received bookings from domestic or foreign tourists. 30 to 40 percent of city hotels and 60 to 70 percent of out-of-town resorts are booked in advance. A handful of small resorts have already received houseful bookings.
Kamrul Islam Chowdhury, Officer-in-Charge of Tourist Police Srimangal Zone told Prothom Alo, “We have already spoken to the tourism officials. Several teams of police will be on duty at various tourist spots, hotels and resort areas so that the tourists who come for Eid can return home safely and smoothly.
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