Quddus Afrad, Dhaka
Due to security reasons, the interim government of Bangladesh has imposed a travel ban in three districts of Chittagong for the time being for 24 days. As soon as the ban on travel to these three hill districts – Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachari – from October 8 to 31 came to light, the joy of Puja has faded to some extent among the locals. There was a one-day public holiday for Puja and two more days of weekend for three consecutive days. Various preparations including hotel booking are made in advance for visiting Puja. But the ban on travel to the three hilly districts has struck a blow to the tourism businessmen. Residential hotels, motels and resorts in Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban districts had continuous bookings of hundreds of thousands of tourists during the four days from October 10 to 13. Tourists also booked tourist cars in advance for the trip. Due to the sudden decision of the government, car dealers have also faced huge losses.
Due to security reasons, the interim government of Bangladesh has imposed a travel ban in three districts of Chittagong for the time being for 24 days. As soon as the ban on travel to these three hill districts – Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachari – from October 8 to 31 came to light, the joy of Puja has faded to some extent among the locals. There was a one-day public holiday for Puja and two more days of weekend for three consecutive days. Various preparations including hotel booking are made in advance for visiting Puja. But the ban on travel to the three hilly districts has struck a blow to the tourism businessmen. Residential hotels, motels and resorts in Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban districts had continuous bookings of hundreds of thousands of tourists during the four days from October 10 to 13. Tourists also booked tourist cars in advance for the trip. Due to the sudden decision of the government, car dealers have also faced huge losses.
Jasim Uddin, organizing secretary of Hotel Owners Association of Bandarban said, 'After many days around the autumn festival, this time there was a rush of tourists booking in Bandarban district. Businessmen expected that the tourism industry will turn around this time. But it all ended suddenly.'
Why the sudden ban? Now there is no unrest in Chittagong Hill Tracts! Deputy Commissioner of Bandarban Shah Mojahid Uddin said that citizens are requested to refrain from traveling to these three hilly districts due to unavoidable reasons. He said that this decision has been given together in three hill districts and it is a decision of the government due to security reasons.
