After 139 days of continuous closure tourist centers will be open today under strict health safety regulations. The announcement of opening a limited number of tourist centers has raised hopes among the tourist businessmen.
Millions of tourists flock to different places of attractions every year to enjoy the beauty of nature, hills, springs, forests and the sea.
The government banned the gathering of tourists in the country’s tourist attractions from April 1 to prevent the transmission of coronavirus which continues till August 18.
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mohammad Mahbub Ali on Tuesday said that every tourist center, hotel-motel and resort should abide by the rules laid down in the government notification to prevent the transmission of Covid-19. Everyone in the tourist centres must follow the hygiene rules, no deviations will be tolerated.
The state minister said that tourist destinations have been opened with a view to enjoy livelihood and keep economy running. This has given an opportunity to the tourism industry, which was damaged due to Covid-19, to turn around. No action can be taken to shut down the sector again due to increased infection.
According to the government notification, the tourist centers will be opened on Thursday. Tourism businessmen are all ready to welcome the tourists to their respective tourist centers across the country. Beach chair-umbrella renters, photographers, hoteliers, floating photographers are also preparing with enthusiasm to welcome tourists.
Tourists have to abide by the hygiene rules. No one will be allowed to enter any tourist center without wearing a face mask. There will be hand sanitizers at the entrances of tourist centers. Tourists need to disinfect their hands with soap. Anyone who is sick would not be allowed inside the centres.
Cox's Bazar is the longest beach in the world. Thousands of native and foreign tourists flock here in different occasion. However, to prevent corona infection, the district administration announced the closure of all recreation centers, including the beach, from April 1 this year.
Tourist spots at Himchhari, Inani, Teknaf-Cox’s Bazar Marine Drive, Sabrang Exclusive Zone, Nature Park, Teknaf Burmese Market, Dulhazara Bangabandhu Safari Park, Maheshkhali Adinath Mandir and Ramu Ram Kut Buddha Bihar are redecorating to attract tourists.
Meanwhile, vessels movement on the Saint Martin Island has been suspended due to inclement weather. The local administration takes such a decision every year during the monsoon season. As a result, the only coral island in the country, St. Martin, has not yet begun preparations of reopening.
All the tourist centers in Bandarban are being reopened from today after being closed for five months due to coronavirus infection.
The 18 km long Kuakata beach is also prepared and ready to welcome tourists. In winter, Kuakata is calm, but in the rainy season it is turbulent. It has a special appeal to tourists. That is why Kuakata is a popular destination for domestic and foreign tourists throughout the year.
Ruman Imtiaz Tushar, managing director of Kuakata Tourist Center, said the beauty of Kuakata is what attracts tourists to Kuakata.
Khagrachhari is a green town with hills, springs and forests. All the tourist centers of the district are closed for five months due to coronavirus. This has caused a financial loss of around Tk 50 crore to the tourism sector in the district.
Chandrakiran Tripura and Kokonath Tripura, caretakers of Alutila tourist center, the main attraction of Khagrachhari, said, “All the tourist centers including Khagrachhari Alutila, Rishang Jharna, and Hanging Bridge, were closed for five months. Tourists who come here have to follow the hygiene rules.”
