Tourist rush overwhelms Bandarban and Rangamati during Eid holidays

The Chittagong Hill Tracts, long regarded as Bangladesh’s most scenic frontier, have seen a significant uptick of visitors during the Eid‑ul‑Fitr holidays.

Bandarban and Rangamati, two of the region’s top destinations, came alive with festivities as thousands of tourists flocked to enjoy the hills, waterfalls, and lakes.

In Bandarban, the atmosphere was festive, with hotels, motels, and resorts fully booked days before Eid.

“The tourist influx during Eid is higher this year compared to last,” said Md Jasim Uddin, general secretary of the Hotel and Resort Owners’ Association.

Many visitors, unable to secure rooms, stayed in lower‑standard lodgings or with relatives.

At Meghla and Nilachal, two popular spots on the outskirts of the town, crowds gathered from morning until evening, with ticket counters selling between 1,200 and 1,500 entries daily.

Similar overcrowding was reported at Chimbuk and Nilgiri, where the rush intensified in the evenings as visitors came to watch the sunset.

The surge created traffic congestion on hilly roads and in the town centre. Long queues of private cars, microbuses, and tourist buses clogged routes leading to Nilachal and Meghla.

Yet the inconveniences did little to dampen spirits. “The natural beauty of Bandarban has made the Eid holiday special. Despite the crowds, we are really enjoying the atmosphere,” said Kamrul Islam, a tourist from Dhaka.

Another visitor, Md Aminul Islam from Gazipur, admitted that not finding a hotel room was frustrating but added, “The beauty of the hills has made up for all the difficulties.”

Authorities deployed tourist police across Bandarban’s major sites to manage crowds and ensure safety.

“Tourist police are deployed at all tourist spots in the district to provide services and assistance,” said Md Farid Uddin Khan, officer‑in‑charge of the Sadar Circle of District Tourist Police.

Bandarban DC Shamima Ara Rini confirmed that additional law enforcement personnel had been mobilised, with special measures taken for ticket management and traffic control.

Rangamati also witnessed a lively atmosphere during the Eid holidays, with tourists flocking to its parks, hanging bridges, and lakes, enjoying boat rides on Kaptai Lake, and exploring the Sunrise Eco Park.

Visitors also admired new attractions like Sauj Lakeview Garden, while local authorities and tourist police worked to ensure safety amid the large crowds.

On the day after Eid, about 4,000 visitors entered the iconic hanging bridge at the Rangamati Tourism Holiday Complex.

Many rented boats to cruise across Kaptai Lake, while others spent time at the Sunrise Eco Park within the complex. Crowds also swelled at Polwel Park, DC Bungalow Park, Asambasti Bridge, and the Asambasti‑Kaptai Link Road. A new attraction this Eid was Sauj Lakeview Garden, featuring about a hundred species of flowers, which drew large numbers of locals.

Sajek Valley, famed as a “valley of clouds,” was also bustling.

The Sajek Resort and Cottage Owners Association reported that more than a hundred resorts and cottages were fully booked, while resorts in Rangamati town were nearly at capacity.

“Our motel has 80 percent room bookings. Tourists have been coming since Eid, visiting the Sunrise Eco Park as well as the hanging bridge,” said Alok Bikash Chakma, manager of the Rangamati Tourism Holiday Complex.

Ticket counter officials at the Parjatan Hanging Bridge confirmed that 3,500 to 4,000 visitors entered the site on the first day alone.

Tourist police were deployed at major centres in Rangamati as well, ensuring safety and crowd management.

“Tourists have started arriving today [yesterday]. Our resort cottages are fully booked until March 28,” said Suparna Deb Barman, president of the Sajek Resort and Cottage Owners Association.

The annual rush during Eid and other major holidays highlights both the promise and the challenges of tourism in the Hill Tracts.

Business operators warn that without integrated initiatives -- planned infrastructure, expanded accommodation capacity, and environmental safeguards -- the mounting pressure may become unmanageable.

For now, the hills and lakes remain alive with visitors, their presence a reminder of how the Chittagong Hill Tracts continue to capture the imagination of Bangladeshis seeking respite in nature.

The crowds bring economic relief to local communities, but they also raise urgent questions about how to balance booming demand with sustainable management in one of the country’s most fragile and treasured landscapes.