Country's tourism sector has been hit hard in the peak season this year due to the prevailing uncertainty and unrest created during the national elections scheduled tomorrow (Sunday), industry insiders said.
They said inbound and domestic tourists are discouraged and barred to travel at the tourist hot spots in Bangladesh as the administration has imposed various restrictions.
Specially, major hotels, motels and resorts have been facing low occupancy rate in the prominent tourist spots on 31st night this year out of fear and uncertainty among people, they added.
Industry sources said the administration has instructed the hoteliers not to allow or restrict the guests after today (Saturday).
Moreover, the two-day restriction on vehicular movement across the country has made the tourists more afraid to stay in various tourist spots.
A senior executive of Hotel The Cox Today at Cox's Bazar told the FE that they will not be able to achieve revenue target set for the 31st night this year as 40 per cent of their guests will not come to their hotel.
"All the hotels, motels, resorts in Cox's Bazar have huge arrangements on 31st night. But this year at least 40 per cent guests will not travel here due to fear of growing unrest centering the national elections," he said.
He, however, said that some young people who are not that much afraid of problems, private service holders and foreigners have already arrived and are expected to enjoy the new year eve. But most of the families are avoiding Cox's Bazar, he added.
But the number of tourists who are travelling by air have been reaching to Cox'ss Bazar easily as air travel is safe, he added.
Echoing him, managing director of Touch Creation Ltd Sumon Hossion said that the hotel business remains dull in Cox's Bazar after 18 December. But occupancy rate on 31st December is very low this year, he added.
"We had good business until 17 December. But many holidaymakers are leaving the country to enjoy the 31st night avoiding the domestic tourist spots fearing problems in the country due to the elections," said Mr Sumon.
Journey Plus chief executive Taufiq Rahman said that foreigners are not coming to Bangladesh due to the elections and restriction on the visa. But tourists are coming back from various major hotels and resorts in Cox's Bazar, Rangamati, Sylhet, Bandarban to avoid hassles and uncertainty during election.
"This is the peak season for the tourism sector. Specially, the hotels and resorts which were over-booked and full booked on 31st night last year are seeing few or no tourists this year to celebrate the annual occasion," he said.
It was known that many families have left their own areas to avoid election violence and enjoy the holiday after the completion of annual examinations of their children on their own arrangement. Many corporate programmes are also being cancelled.
But most of the families who usually travel to different holiday spots during winter are avoiding travel fearing uncertainty after the election, industry insiders said.
But managing partner of Shantibari Eco Resort in Srimangal Jakir Hossain said that they have full occupancy until 29. It will be fully occupied on 31st and then from 3rd January.
"It seems 20 per cent of the domestic tourists traveling to many tourist spots may be trying to avoid election hassles. But 80 per cent of the travelers are pure holiday makers as they have planned their holiday package long ago," he said.
Sylhet area is comparatively safe and easy to travel, he said adding: that's why the number of tourists in this region is very good.
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