Sylhet tea belt braces for Eid rush; resorts near full occupancy

The lush tea gardens of Sylhet are preparing for a surge in visitors ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, with resorts, cottages and authorities stepping up arrangements across key tourist zones.

Industry insiders say the scenic belt of Sreemangal and Kamalganj has once again emerged as a top destination for holidaymakers seeking nature retreats during the festive break.

“Advance bookings at resorts and cottages on the outskirts, particularly at Radhanagar village in Sreemangal, have already reached between 80 and 90 percent. Stakeholders expect full occupancy during the peak holiday period from March 19 to 27,” said Shamsul Haque, member secretary of the Sreemangal Parjatan Seba Sangstha.

“This is our peak season for Eid tourism. Bookings are rising rapidly and we expect full occupancy as the holiday approaches.”

In contrast, hotels within town areas are seeing relatively lower demand so far, with occupancy ranging between 50 and 60 percent, he added.

Tourism operators attribute this trend to a growing preference among travellers to stay closer to nature rather than in urban settings.

Across Sreemangal, more than a hundred accommodation facilities including luxury resorts, eco-cottages and guesthouses are preparing to host thousands of visitors daily.

Restaurants and cafés have also revamped their menus, offering Bengali, Chinese, Thai and indigenous ethnic cuisine to cater to the festive influx.

Md Sohel Ahmed, manager of Tilagaon Eco Village in Kamalganj, said bookings there have already reached around 95 percent for March 20–27.

“We have enhanced the natural ambience with new arrangements to make the Eid experience more appealing for visitors,” he said.

Tapas Das, owner of a local eco cafe in Sreemangal, said special arrangements have been made to showcase traditional and tribal dishes, allowing tourists to experience the region’s culture through food.

Jahanara Akhter, director of Balishira Resort, said about 80 percent of rooms have already been booked for March 21–27, expressing optimism about achieving full occupancy.

At the high-end Grand Sultan Tea Resort and Golf, bookings are nearly complete, with strong domestic demand offsetting a decline in foreign visitors, said General Manager Arman Khan.

Surrounded by rolling hills, tea estates and wetlands, Moulvibazar remains one of the country’s most popular tourism hubs. Key attractions include tea gardens, Hail Haor, Baikka Beel, Lawachara National Park, Hamham Waterfall and Madhabpur Lake, among others.

Local residents say the rising influx of tourists is already being felt.

“Every year during Eid-ul-Fitr we expect a large number of visitors, but this year the pressure is noticeably higher,” said Abdul Karim, a resident of Sreemangal.

“From tea gardens to eco-resorts, everything is becoming crowded.”

He said the influx is boosting local businesses, benefiting transport workers, shopkeepers, guides and small restaurant owners.

However, he also warned of emerging challenges, including traffic congestion, waste management issues and noise pollution in some areas.

“We hope visitors will act responsibly -- avoiding littering, respecting local culture and protecting the natural environment,” he added.

Authorities have strengthened security measures ahead of the holiday rush.

“We have intensified patrols at all major tourist spots. Joint operations involving police, tourist police and other agencies will be in place to ensure visitors’ safety,” said Md Kamrul Hossain Chowdhury, officer-in-charge of the Tourist Police in the Sreemangal–Kamalganj zone.

Officials said coordinated efforts are under way to ensure visitors can enjoy a safe and hassle-free Eid holiday in the country’s tea capital.