Cox’s Bazar, Sep 27 (V7N)- The tourism industry in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh’s premier tourist destination, has faced a challenging year, with the usual influx of visitors significantly reduced due to a combination of factors. Prolonged drought, the political tension surrounding the 12th National Election, and the effects of natural disasters have all contributed to the decline in tourism. The anti-discrimination student movement and the ongoing internal conflict in neighboring Myanmar have also played a part in deterring tourists.

Today, September 27, marks World Tourism Day, but unlike previous years, the celebration in Cox's Bazar is subdued. The day, which was previously celebrated with large-scale festivities, will only see a rally and a discussion program this year. The district administration, however, has promised a bigger event in October, hoping to reignite the spirit of tourism in the region.

For the past few years, Tourism Day was celebrated with vibrant activities, but the development of Cox’s Bazar as a tourist town has not met expectations. Infrastructure issues remain a persistent problem, with roads in the hotel-motel zone prone to severe waterlogging even with moderate rainfall. Moreover, garbage accumulation across the city and on the beach has become a common sight, diminishing the charm of the world’s longest sea beach.

Tourists visiting the city have expressed their disappointment over the lack of cleanliness and infrastructure. Lamia, a visitor to Cox's Bazar, lamented, "The only difference between foreign beach cities and Cox's Bazar is the cleanliness. We are not maintaining the city or the beach properly, and that's the root of the problem."

Similarly, tourist Saidur Rahman commented, "We have the longest beach in the world, yet we fail to attract international visitors. The reason is simple—we haven’t developed Cox's Bazar into a modern, clean city that tourists would love to visit repeatedly."

Key areas of the city, such as Kalatali Point, Labani Point, and Sugandha Point, suffer from garbage accumulation and deteriorating road conditions, further frustrating tourists and highlighting the need for improvement.

The Cox's Bazar Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, Abu Morshed Chowdhury Khoka, echoed these concerns, attributing the lack of tourism development to administrative weaknesses. He emphasized that the focus on beach-centric tourism has limited the potential for a more diverse tourism industry in Cox's Bazar.

However, there is hope for change. The newly appointed Deputy Commissioner of Cox's Bazar, Mohammad Salahuddin, acknowledged the need for city planning and development, stating, "We want to plan this city so that the name of Cox's Bazar becomes renowned globally." He emphasized that reform is underway, with new administrative officers working on long-term solutions for the city’s infrastructure and tourism sector.

In an effort to promote cleanliness and raise awareness on World Tourism Day, the Cox's Bazar Flat Traders Association organized a beach cleaning program on Thursday afternoon, highlighting the community’s dedication to improving the city.

Despite the challenges, hotels and motels in Cox's Bazar are offering special discounts to tourists in celebration of the day, aiming to encourage more visitors and help the tourism industry recover from its recent setbacks.

Cox’s Bazar remains a gem of natural beauty, but the urgent need for infrastructure development, cleanliness, and modernization has become increasingly apparent. Both tourists and locals hope that these issues will be addressed, allowing the region to reach its full potential as a world-class tourist destination.

END/SHM/AJ