Kuakata experiences a huge drop in tourists during Ramadan.

DailyStar || Shining BD

Published: 4/6/2023 4:21:57 AM

Since the middle of March, the number of visitors to Kuakata Beach has drastically decreased, forcing hotel and motel owners to slash rents by up to 50% in an effort to entice travelers and reduce losses.

 

A week prior to the beginning of Ramadan on March 24, according to Motaleb Sharif, general secretary of the Kuakata Hotel-Motel Owners Association, a lack of tourists first became apparent.

"There are no tourists anymore."

Sharif, the proprietor of the 39-room Kuakata Guest House, claims: "For the past week, no tourists have visited my hotel."

There are 130 high-quality hotels and motels in Kuakata, and they are all experiencing the same problems.

At the southernmost point of Bangladesh, Patuakhali's Kuakata Beach is home to about 5,000 people who depend on the local tourism industry.

Since the number of tourists visiting the tourist destination has drastically decreased, their income has dropped.

Industry insiders claim that during the fasting month, the number of tourists typically decreases. But this year, the decline is more pronounced.

According to Khan Palace's manager, Abdus Shakur, the hotel has 50 rooms.

"Of them, only two rooms are occupied at the moment, while the other 48 are vacant. As a result, we are unable to generate enough income to even pay the staff's salaries.

"The lack of travelers may last through the Eid festival."

To entice visitors, Khan Palace is providing 50% rent discounts. We are still struggling to draw them in, Shakur said.

A 50% discount on room rentals is also being provided by Kuakata Sikder Resort.

According to Shahin Alam, the hotel's accountant, there haven't been any visitors for the past few days.

Even before the month of Ramadan, there was an alarming drop in the number of tourists. The number of tourists typically stays low during Ramadan each year. But things are really bad this year.

On the beach, photographers and people who rent out beach chairs with umbrellas could be seen relaxing. There are 35 beach-based photographers and 200 beach chair service providers.

In Kuakata, Noor Hossain manages 40 beach chairs with umbrellas.

He said: "Since there have been few tourists on the beach even before Ramadan, it has now become difficult for his family to make ends meet."

Almas Ahmed, a photographer, says photographers like him make a living by taking pictures of tourists.

"But there has been almost no income for almost a month amid a lower turnout of tourists."

Apart from the Ramadan effect, higher inflation, which has significantly eroded the purchasing power of people, has also contributed to the fall in the number of tourists.

Inflation in Bangladesh has been at an elevated level since July last year. It jumped to a seven-month high of 9.33 per cent in March as food prices rose and the adjustment of oil, gas, and electricity prices took hold.

Vendors who sell fried fish on the beach are also in trouble due to a lack of tourists. One of them, Bellal Hossain, says tourists usually come and eat fried fish from the evening to midnight.

"This brings me some money to take care of the family. But there have been no tourists on the beach for the last one month."

Hossain, however, hopes that tourists will throng the beach during the Eid-ul-Fitr festival, which will be celebrated later this month.

Shining BD