Special emphasis on safety of female tourists in Cox's Bazar

In the wake of several recent incidents involving harassment of women in Cox's Bazar, concerns have grown among tourists. These incidents sparked nationwide criticism, raising alarm about the safety of female tourists. In response to these concerns, law enforcement and tourism stakeholders in Cox's Bazar have emphasized taking special measures to ensure the safety of tourists, especially women, as part of the World Tourism Day initiatives.

Officials assert that in addition to security, efforts are being made to improve the quality of services to attract more tourists to Cox’s Bazar.

When asked about these measures, Tourist Police Superintendent of the Cox's Bazar region, Mohammad Manzur Morshed, told Views Bangladesh that the recent incidents are "isolated." He urged tourists not to be overly concerned about their safety, stating, “There is no longer a security crisis in Cox's Bazar." He added that the police have intensified their vigilance to prevent any unwanted incidents involving tourists, including women.

Despite assurances from the authorities, fear persists among female tourists. Afsana Jahan (pseudonym), a member of a women's travel group and a resident of Dhaka's Mohammadpur area, questioned the safety of tourist spots across the country, including Cox's Bazar.

"Not just Cox's Bazar, but women are now afraid to travel to various places across the country. People travel to relax or to escape the pressures of daily life. It’s tragic that we have to worry about safety," she said.

She also mentioned the lack of police presence on the beach, describing it as frightening. "There’s no alternative to the role of the police in overcoming this situation," Afsana added.

Lufaiyya Shammi, a student at Jahangirnagar University and an avid traveler, echoed similar concerns. "Whenever I visit Cox's Bazar, some unruly individuals always try to harass us, which is very intimidating. To make Cox's Bazar more popular, the highest level of safety for women must be ensured."

Lufaiyya expressed frustration that even 50 years after independence, women in Bangladesh still feel too afraid to travel alone within the country.

Locals in Cox’s Bazar are also witnessing a security crisis. Pratibha Das, a local resident and a member of the Cox's Bazar Development Authority (CDA), said she has stopped her daily evening walks on the beach due to fear.

She criticized the current security measures, saying, "The safety measures for tourists in Cox's Bazar don’t even come close to those in other countries."

Pratibha further added, “The authorities have failed to provide the level of security they are supposed to, and whether I travel to Cox's Bazar or any other part of Bangladesh, I’m constantly afraid of losing my dignity along with my belongings.”

If Cox’s Bazar fails to address this security issue, it may lose its appeal as a tourist city, she warned.

Tourism stakeholders also pointed out that the lack of tourists in Cox’s Bazar has negatively impacted the local economy. Belal Abedin, a tours and travel operator, mentioned that a few isolated incidents on the beach and in the hotel-motel zone have affected the entire tourism industry. "We are doing our best to overcome this crisis," he said.

Mohammad Ariful Islam, a hotel businessman in Cox's Bazar, expressed concerns about the decline in tourists due to safety issues. He, however, claimed that the law and order situation has now stabilized and urged tourists not to worry about security, encouraging them to visit Cox's Bazar. He also highlighted efforts to improve service quality.

Additional District Magistrate Ataul Gani Osmani, who is responsible for the tourism cell in Cox's Bazar, told Views Bangladesh that law and order across the country, including in Cox's Bazar, has deteriorated since the change in government, but the administration is working to resolve this temporary crisis.

"We are holding discussions with various tourism stakeholders to improve both security and facilities for tourists," he said.

Referring to recent incidents of robbery and harassment of women on the beach, Osmani called them "regrettable" and noted that the administration has taken strict measures to prevent such incidents from recurring.

At present, Cox's Bazar is safe for tourists, and all parties are working diligently to ensure their security, Osmani added.