With the lifting of travel bans, popular attractions such as the Hanging Bridge, Polwel Park, and Shuvolong Waterfalls are bustling with activity. Tourists are also enjoying boat rides on the azure waters of Kaptai Lake, taking in the stunning views of lakes, mountains, and clouds.
The restrictions were first placed on travel to Sajek on September 24, followed by a broader ban across the three hill districts from October 8 until October 31 due to regional unrest. As conditions improved, the Rangamati district administration lifted the travel ban on November 1, although access to Sajek will remain limited until November 5.
By early Saturday, tourist sites in Rangamati were filled with visitors, many walking across the suspension bridge and boating on Kaptai Lake. Local hotels and motels reported high occupancy rates, and merchants expressed hope for recovering from the financial setbacks experienced during the tourist ban, which is estimated to have cost the sector around Tk50 crore.
Soumen Nandi, a tourist from Dhaka, shared, “As soon as the restrictions were lifted, my friends and I decided to come and enjoy the nature of Rangamati. We’re a group of 20, and the unique charm of this place never fails to captivate us.”
Handloom shops also saw a surge in customers, as visitors combined sightseeing with shopping.
Fakhrul Islam, manager of the tourist boat dock, mentioned, “We faced significant financial losses with tourist arrivals halted for a month. Now that the ban is lifted, boat owners and workers are hopeful for a prosperous season to recoup our losses.”
Abul Hasan Raihan, manager of Hotel Square Park, remarked, “The tourism sector in Rangamati faced an image crisis due to the restrictions, but with these now lifted, everyone feels a sense of relief. Judging by the influx of visitors over Friday and Saturday, we are optimistic about a robust winter season.”
Alok Vikas Chakma, manager of the Tourism Holiday Complex, echoed this sentiment, stating, “We are witnessing a strong turnout on the first day of reopening. The Hanging Bridge and Kaptai Lake are busy, and we anticipate even more tourists in the days ahead.”
END/MSS/AJ
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