Tourists flock to Moulvibazar during Puja holidays, hotels and resorts fully booked
Tourists have flocked to Moulvibazar during the Durga Puja holidays. In the fine autumn weather, the district's tourist spots have come alive with nature lovers. Drawn by tea gardens, lakes and green hills, travellers are arriving from far and wide.
Alongside visiting their favourite places, tourists are taking photographs with loved ones to preserve the moments. Those involved say the district's well-known spots are staying crowded from morning to evening.
Resort owners linked to the tourism industry say a large number of tourists have arrived from outside the district over the past few days. Rooms at hotels, motels and resorts are one hundred percent booked — meaning that in this holiday season, arriving in Moulvibazar and getting a room on the spot has become almost impossible.
On Tuesday, a woman tourist named Medha, spoken to at a tea garden in Sreemangal, said it felt wonderful to be amid the greenery. Moulvibazar is in their hearts, she said, expressing the joy of the trip.
Another tourist, Burhan, who came from Dhaka to Madhabpur Lake, said it felt very good to arrive in the kingdom of tea from the city of brick and stone. The lake of blue lotuses at the foot of the hills here became a special attraction for him.
Antika Ghosh has come from Kishoreganj for the first time. She said she has managed two things at once — seeing the Puja, and visiting Lawachara, Boddhobhumi 71 and Madhabpur Lake along with several tea gardens in Moulvibazar. The more she sees, the more she likes it, she added.
A young man named Pantha, who came from Tangail, said green tea gardens surround Sreemangal. He has travelled to various parts of the country, but has never seen such beautiful scenery anywhere as here. He said he has really enjoyed coming here.
Selim Ahmed, former president of a tourism service organisation, said a good number of tourists are coming to Moulvibazar during the long holiday. Almost one hundred percent of rooms at hotels, motels and resorts are booked. But he regretted that compared to the number of tourists who come here during festivals, almost nothing has been built up officially.
Selim Ahmed's comment has brought the old question about Moulvibazar's tourism infrastructure to the fore again. The crowds of tourists on every festival holiday prove how strong this district's attraction is; but as facilities have not been built through government initiative in proportion, the entire tourism system runs on the strength of the private sector.
On tourist safety, Moulvibazar Tourist Police officer-in-charge (OC) Kamrul Hasan said the SRB, BGB and police are working jointly day and night for the security of tourists. No incident has occurred anywhere so far. They are continuing their vigilance, he added.
Those linked to tourism hope this crowd of tourists will continue through the remaining days of the holiday. While the picture of full booking is having a positive effect on local business and trade, those concerned believe the time has now come to pay attention to meeting the tourism sector's demands on infrastructure development.
