Khagrachhari, Nov 05 (V7N) — Following more than a month of closure due to security concerns, Khagrachhari and Sajek tourist centers will reopen for visitors starting Tuesday. Baghaichhari Upazila Executive Officer, Shirin Akhter, confirmed the reopening, stating that the situation has stabilized, allowing for a safe resumption of tourism activities.

The suspension of tourism in Sajek, triggered by violent incidents in Khagrachhari and Rangamati on September 19-20, led the Rangamati district administration to discourage travel to the area. Further restrictions were enforced on October 8, affecting all tourist sites across Khagrachhari and three hill districts.

With Sajek’s tourism hub closed for over a month, most resort and cottage employees left the area due to the drastic drop in visitors. Sajek Cottage Owners Association reports that the area has 120 resorts and cottages, many of which have struggled during the shutdown.

Ananta Bikash Tripura, General Secretary of the Khagrachhari Residential Hotel Owners Association, expressed relief over the decision, highlighting that numerous livelihoods in the region depend on tourism. "Many people have become unemployed in this sector due to the ban," he said, noting that reopening the sites has offered new hope for those whose incomes rely on tourism.

Khagrachhari Deputy Commissioner Md. Sahiduzzaman also emphasized that all tourist centers in Khagrachhari would reopen from Tuesday, allowing access to Sajek via the Khagrachhari district road.

The extended closure of tourism in the region has incurred significant financial losses, estimated at Tk 15 crore. The reopening offers a much-needed economic boost for the region, which anticipates a return of tourists and a revival of the local tourism-driven economy.

END/BT/AJ