Khagrachari, Oct 06 (V7N) — The district administrations of Khagrachari, Rangamati, and Bandarban have issued a joint advisory requesting tourists to refrain from traveling to these hill districts from October 8 to October 31, 2024. This precautionary measure has been taken due to heightened security concerns in the region.

Khagrachari Deputy Commissioner Sahiduzzaman confirmed the advisory on Sunday afternoon, stating, "Considering the recent situation, we have urged tourists to avoid travel for their safety." He added that district authorities in Rangamati and Bandarban have issued similar directives, citing security risks in the current environment.

The advisory comes as a response to rising concerns over the stability of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. While the region has seen a reduction in organized violence recently, there are reports of ongoing tensions and rumors that could disrupt public order, prompting authorities to prioritize the safety of visitors.

This decision has sparked concern among local tourism businesses, especially in light of the upcoming Durga Puja festival, a peak travel period. Hoteliers and other tourism-related businesses in Sajek and Khagrachari had already secured substantial bookings for the holiday season. The sudden advisory and resulting cancellations are expected to cause significant financial losses for the sector, which has been struggling with reduced tourist numbers in recent years due to recurring unrest.

The Khagrachari administration's decision follows similar measures taken last year, and tourism operators are once again facing a downturn. The safety of tourists remains the top priority, with officials closely monitoring the situation across the hill districts.

END/BT/AJ