Tourist spots in Bandarban to open for travel next week: DC

The tourism spots at fourv Bandarban upazilas — Bandarban Sadar, Alikadam, Lama, Naikhongchhari — will be opened for tourists in the first week of November.

A decision will be made regarding the opening of Thanchi, Ruma, and Rowangchari upazilas after reviewing the situation.

Bandarban Deputy Commissioner Shah Mojahid Uddin said this while addressing a views-exchange meeting with tourism related stakeholders at the Bandarban district administration conference room on Wednesday noon.

Presiding over the meeting, he said, “The tourism industry is the life of Chattogram Hill Tracts. Tourism is the only means of livelihood for a good number of people in the district.
Tourists were discouraged from traveling Bandarban till October 31 in view of the overall situation in the district. On the basis of the opinion of the relevant organizations of the government, a policy decision has been made to open the tourism of Bandarban for travel next week. Tourist spots in four upazilas of Bandarban Sadar, Alikadam, Lama, Naikhongchhari will be opened for travel on any day from November 7 to 10.”

Among others, Bandarban Superintendent of Police Shahidullah Kawsar, Additional Deputy Commissioner SM Manzrul Haque, army, RAB, and officers, Bandarban Hotel Resort Owners Association Advisor Kajal Kanti Das, Bandarban Hotel Resort Owners Association President Sirajul Islam, General Secretary Jasim Uddin, President of Restaurant Owners Association, Nasirul Alam, and President of Tourist Jeep Owners Association also addressed the meeting.

Representatives of various government agencies of the district, media workers and people of various business organizations related to tourism of the district were present in the meeting.

Meanwhile, several hundred men and women took position with banners related to various demands in the Bandarban District Commissioner's office premises.

The residential hotel motel owners, employees, transport owners-workers, restaurant owner workers, auto-rickshaw drivers, and tourist goods shop owners demanded to reopen the tourism industry.