Cox's Bazar, Oct 09 (V7N) — After a long period of low tourist activity due to political changes, Cox's Bazar, the world's longest sea beach, is poised to welcome an influx of tourists during the upcoming Durga Puja holidays. Tourism officials are expecting over 100,000 visitors to gather in the popular coastal city during the four-day holiday which includes Durga Puja and the weekend.

Hotels and motels in the area have reported high demand, with the majority of the more than 400 accommodations already fully booked. This anticipated wave of tourists is expected to breathe life back into Cox's Bazar, which had seen a noticeable drop in visitors in recent months.

To cater to the surge in travelers, a special train service on the Dhaka-Cox's Bazar route has been introduced for four days to meet passenger demand. All tickets for this service have already been sold out, highlighting the excitement and anticipation among tourists.

For the safety and security of the incoming tourists, the Tourist Police have put in place comprehensive measures. Along with regular uniformed officers, plainclothes police, mobile teams, and drones will be deployed to monitor the area and prevent any incidents of harassment or crime. The Tourist Police assured visitors that they are fully prepared to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

A major attraction during this holiday period is the idol immersion ceremony on October 13 , part of the Vijaya Dashami celebrations. This is expected to draw a crowd of 500,000 to 600,000 visitors , making it the largest gathering for an idol immersion in the country. The five-day Durga Puja Festival will officially begin on Wednesday, October 9 , with Mahashasthi , followed by Saptami Puja on October 10. The festivities will conclude on Bijaya Dashami with the traditional immersion of Durga idols into the sea.

Tourism officials are hopeful that this festive season will not only bring back the vibrancy of Cox's Bazar but also boost the local economy, with businesses and tourism services benefiting from the expected surge in visitors.

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