[🇧🇩] Bangladesh Tourism

[Saif]

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/restriction-on-tourism-in-rangamati-sajek-lifted

Restriction on tourism in Rangamati Sajek lifted
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Feb 25, 2025 23:00
Updated :
Feb 25, 2025 23:00

The Rangamati district administration has lifted the restriction on tourism one day after the massive fire that engulfed nearly 100 resorts, restaurants and houses in Sajek Valley, a popular tourist destination in Rangamati’s Baghaichhari upazila, on Tuesday.

Shirin Akter, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Baghaichhari, said the restriction which was imposed after the fire incident, was lifted on Tuesday afternoon.

Earlier on Monday, the local administration in Rangamati discouraged tourists from visiting the fire-ravaged Sajek Valley for safety reasons, reports UNB.

The decision was taken temporarily to ensure tourists’ safety following the devastating fire, said UNO.

Habib Ullah, deputy commissioner of Rangamati, said over 90-95 resorts, shops, cottages and dwelling houses were gutted down during the massive fire that broke out at Sajek Valley around 1 pm on Monday.

The local administration formed a committee to investigate the massive fire and asked the committee to submit its report within seven working days.​

 

[Saif]

Sajek fire a wake-up call for the tourism sector

There must be proper safety measures in all tourist destinations

www.thedailystar.net

Sajek fire a wake-up call for the tourism sector
There must be proper safety measures in all tourist destinations

VISUAL: STAR

Our hearts go out to the victims of the devastating fire that swept through Rangamati's Sajek Valley, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. According to estimates given by the district administration, the fire—which broke out around 1:00pm on Monday—gutted about 98 establishments including 36 resorts and cottages, 35 houses, 20 stationary shops, and seven restaurants. Business owners estimate the total damage to be around Tk 100 crore, including Tk 30 crore lost in tourism-related destruction alone. While the scale of the fire has caught many by surprise, preliminary investigations reveal glaring lapses that make such a tragedy seem all but inevitable.

According to a report by Prothom Alo, the fire, which burned uncontrollably for hours, was exacerbated by the lack of a fire station nearby. By the time fire service units from Dighinala, Khagrachhari, Rangamati, and other far-flung areas arrived, the damage was already extensive. The water crisis in Sajek also hampered firefighting efforts by locals. There were other factors responsible for the devastation. For example, most structures in Sajek are built of wood and bamboo, making them highly flammable. The uncontrolled expansion of resorts and cottages without proper regulations also created a densely packed environment where fire could easily spread. Moreover, none of Sajek's estimated 126 resorts and cottages had fire extinguishers, nor had there ever been a fire drill in the area.

How could such a popular spot develop without having any fire safety measure in place? Why didn't the local administration and fire service department enforce necessary measures, even after similar fires broke out in Sajek in 2017, 2021, and 2023? While the lack of fire and building safety is a threat that extends to all of Bangladesh—especially urban and industrial settings where fire incidents are a common occurrence—the Sajek episode should serve as a wake-up call for the tourism authorities and entrepreneurs. We need sustainable tourism that prioritises safety, not unplanned expansion that compromises it.

The question is, how could such a popular spot develop without having any fire safety measure in place? Why didn't the local administration and fire service department enforce necessary measures, even after similar fires broke out in Sajek in 2017, 2021, and 2023? While the lack of fire and building safety is a threat that extends to all of Bangladesh—especially urban and industrial settings where fire incidents are a common occurrence—the Sajek episode should serve as a wake-up call for the tourism authorities and entrepreneurs. We need sustainable tourism that prioritises safety, not unplanned expansion that compromises it.

The immediate priority, however, is to ensure the victims are properly compensated and helped in rebuilding efforts. At the same time, steps must be taken to prevent fires in the future. The establishment of a fire station in Sajek or nearby areas has become crucial. Also, given the water shortage in hilly regions, every resort and cottage there should be mandated to have fire extinguishers and other essential firefighting equipment. All this must be done as part of a strict regulatory framework for tourism infrastructure development.​

 

[Saif]

Cox’s Bazar hotels offer huge discount in Ramadan

However, as Ramadan began on Sunday, the hotels and guest houses of Cox’s Bazar started to get deserted.

en.prothomalo.com

Cox’s Bazar hotels offer huge discount in Ramadan
Abdul Kuddus
Published: 06 Mar 2025, 08: 37

Hotels and motels of Cox’s Bazar are offering special discounts in the holy month of Ramadan.

Cox’s Bazar sea beach, one of the most popular tourist attractions of the country, was teeming with thousands of tourists last Thursday and Friday. All hotels and guest houses were fully occupied on the weekend.

However, as Ramadan began on Sunday, the hotels and guest houses of Cox’s Bazar started to get deserted. The impact of the month of fasting is so much so that 95 per cent of over 500 hotels, guest houses and resorts are lying vacant. At least 40,000 hotel and restaurant employees have also gone on vacation.

To attract tourists during the month of Ramadan, the hotel authorities in Cox's Bazar have announced a maximum 70 per cent discount on room rent. That is, the rent for an air-conditioned room that is Tk 2,000 in normal time has been slashed to only Tk 600.

Even a special arrangement has been made to spend the night free of charge for the people who cannot afford to stay in a hotel. Hoteliers think those who have not been able to visit the Cox's Bazar beach and other tourist attractions in the district due to additional expenses can take advantage of this special discount during the month of Ramadan.

Mukim Khan, general secretary of Kolatoli Hotel Resort Owners Association, told Prothom Alo that more than 4,000 tourists visited Cox’s Bazar on Sunday, the first day of Ramadan.

Hotels are offering up to 70 per cent discount on room rent. Arrangements are there to stay at hotels for free for the tourists with financial crisis. The special discount will remain in place till Eid day. Over 500 hotels and restaurants are retentive of 187,000 tourists.

95 pc room vacant, renovation underway

The seven-story Rain View Resort in Kalatali has 51 rooms. Only four rooms were occupied on Sunday. The adjacent Hotel Cox International has 25 rooms. There were guests in only one room while 24 were vacant.
Nazim Uddin, owner of the Shahjadi Resort at Dolphin Crossing, said 43 out of 45 rooms of his resort are vacant. The hotels remain vacant during the month of Ramadan every year. However, the announcement of this special discount may bring some tourists.

Nazim said his resort is offering up to 70 per cent discount on room rent to attract tourists.

The hotel owners said that at least 2.1 million tourists came to the beach in November and December last year. During this time, the hotel rooms were fully occupied. Some 6-7 million tourists arrived in January and February of this year.

Abul Kashem Sikder, president of the Cox's Bazar Hotel and Guesthouse Owners Association, said that a maximum discount of 70 per cent is being offered. At least 99 per cent of restaurants in Cox's Bazar remain shut during the month of Ramadan. Most hotel, guesthouse and cottage employees are also sent on compulsory leave. Already, 30-40 thousand employees have gone on leave. The hotels are being kept open with the remaining 10-15 thousand employees. Renovation and painting work is underway at some hotels. However, several hotels and restaurants have arranged for Sahri and Iftar for tourists.​