August 17 blasts taking toll on Kuakata tourist spot

A virtually desolate sea beach in Kuakata.. PHOTO: STAR

Usually, the scenic tourist spot used to remain crowded during Eid vacations. But it wore a barren look this year.

Subhas Chandra Nandi, Manager of Parjatan Holiday Homes said, "Winter and spring are prime periods for tourism. But it was a different scene this year. We are apprehending hard days in the coming winter as flow of tourists has fallen. Tourists, particularly from abroad, are scared after the August 17 bomb blasts."

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Bangladeshi tourists used to flock here during every Eid vacation. "We earned Tk 1,10,000 during Eid vacation last year from Bangladeshi tourists. The earning fell to Tk. 70,000 this year", Nandi said.

Usually foreign tourists start coming from October. Our motel was fully booked with foreign guests last year. "We have few guests now", he said while talking to this correspondent on Saturday.

"We receive phone calls from foreign guests. They do not book hotel rooms but inquire about the situation in Bangladesh", he said.

This correspondent while visiting Kuakata saw a few tourists in the sea-beach.

This will also affect cottage industries because tourists are their main buyers, Nandi said.

The extra security measures taken after the August 17 blasts bother them. They want to move freely and in a carefree atmosphere. They feel embarrassed because of frequent security cheek here and there and surveillance by security forces.

The number of tourists is declining day by day due to the security checks, he said.

Tahmina Salim, owner of Hotel Nilanjana said, "We are now worried as arrival of tourists in the country has sharply declined after the August 17 blasts".

Kuakata's scenic beauty attracts foreign and Bangladeshi tourists. But the August 17 blasts in Kuakata dealt a severe blow to the sector, she said.

Over 50 bookings were cancelled by tourists just after the bomb blasts, she recalled.

Tahmina said the warning by some embassies and missions in Dhaka on free movement of their officials and citizens has also severally affected the tourism industry.

Over 500 foreign tourists used to visit Kuakata during October-April. They were mainly from the USA, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Europe and some Meddle Eastern countries.

If the present situation continues the number of tourists will fall drastically, which will affect the local economy also, the tour operators said.