The scorching heat wave has begun to affect the tourism industry of the country.
Nearly 30 percent of hotel bookings remain unfulfilled despite the usual trend of reservations being completed a month prior to Eid, according to industry insiders.
Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) President Shiblul Azam Qureshi told Bangladesh Post that many people did not go out because of the intense heat since March. Every year hotel bookings are completed 1 month before Eid, but this time more than 30 percent bookings have not been made.
According to them, there was a pressure of tourists in Cox’s Bazar from the day after Eid till last Monday, the number starting to decrease from the next day. The few who are there are also busy seeking relief from the heat wave. President of Cox's Bazar Tourism Association Belal Abedin Bhutto told the media that tourists have decreased due to excessive heat. We fear that the situation will worsen if the heat increases in the coming days.
Like Cox's Bazar, the number of tourists in Kuakata also increased after Eid. But due to the ongoing heat wave, there has been a sharp decline in tourists since last Monday.
The beach is full of tourists from early morning to late at night. But for the last two days, the number of tourists at Kuakata has started decreasing.
Motaleb Sharif, General Secretary of Kuakata Hotel-Motel Owners Association, said that tourists are getting tired in summer. That's why people are reluctant to come here.
The business and trade of Mahasthangarh, famous both for tourist and pilgrimage visit, has come to a standstill due to the continuous heat wave. Due to the unbearable heat, the travel of tourists and pilgrims has decreased. Due to the heat, the number of visitors has decreased at several tourist spots in the northern region also, including Shopnopuri Artificial Amusement Park, Tajhat Palace, Chikli Lake and Ramsagar.
Bangladesh Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber admitting that tourists have started to decrease since last Monday said, as this Eid is not in the tourist season, the tourist attractions of the country may witness less tourists this year.
The number of travelers to Cox’s Bazar, Sylhet and Chattogram by air have also witnessed a steady decline. Passengers on this route have decreased due to the end of Eid holidays and the effect of heat wave.
US-Bangla General Manager (Public Relations) Kamrul Islam told Bangladesh Post that the passenger pressure that still exists is Dhaka-bound only. However, the number of passengers traveling from Dhaka to tourist cities has decreased slightly.