Shutdowns called by the Jamaat-e-Islami on Aug 13 and 14 have adversely affected the Eid tourism in Rangamati, a district with abundant natural beauties.
Many people travel Rangamati with families and friends during Eid holidays every year but tourist arrivals have dropped ‘drastically’ this year because of the strikes shortly after Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, locals said.
Those who have already arrived at Rangamati are concerned about their returning home.
The Jamaat called the shutdowns, which will start 48 hours after the end of Eid holidays, in protest against the High Court verdict declaring the party’s registration with the Election Commission illegal.
The hanging bridge between two hills is the most preferred attraction of the tourists visiting Rangamati.
The other attractions are fountains, Rajban Bihar, district administration bungalow, Birshrestha Mushi Abur Rouf monument, Balukhali agricultural farm, Tuktuk echo village, Kaptai hydropower project, Karnaphuli Paper Mills and Kaptai National Park.
Three friends – Saju Nath, Md Fazal Mia and Rajon Chakrabarty – who were visiting the hanging bridge on Saturday noon, told bdnews24.com that they were concerned about their returning home.
Chandan Das Barman, the Manager of Rangamati town’s Green Castle Hotel, said few guests had checked in his hotel after the Eid. He said most of the hotel’s rooms were vacant.
Raihan Chowdhury Rana, a tourist boat operator at Holiday Complex, said tourist arrivals dropped by one-third due to political instability.
“I rented around 100 boats a day after the previous Eid. But this year I can’t rent even 20 boats,” he said.
He urged the political leaders not to resort to any agitation programmes during festivals.
Our Cox’ Bazar Correspondent reports: Tourist arrivals also dropped in the sea beach district, where getting a hotel room was difficult during previous festivals, because of the strikes.
Regal Palace Manager Karim Ullah said their 65-room hotel had guests in only 20 rooms on Saturday.
Source: bdnews24