Kuakata tourism feels the pinch of COVID-19

Investors in the tourism sector are facing hard times, as Kuakata, one of the major tourist destinations in the country, remains deserted during the nationwide

holidays.Insiders are talking about the collapse of the Kuakata tourism industry due to the 18-day nationwide holidays from March 18 to April 4, declared to prevent transmission of COVID-19.

Kuakata Hotel and Motel Owners’ Association secretary Motaleb Sharif claimed they are losing Tk 50 lakh daily because of the nationwide holidays.

He said the losses would add up to Tk 20 crore during the nationwide holidays period. There are at least 2,000 workers in hotels and their salaries run into several lakhs, he added.Besides, there are about 200 other small entrepreneurs, including tour operators, who have invested in the tourism sector. On every day of the nationwide holidays, they are facing huge losses.

Motaleb Sharif urged the government to provide subsidies to the tourism sector to limit the damage caused by the general holidays.

“We closed residential hotels only after receiving instructions from the district administration and the tourist police. The district administration has instructed us to not provide residential accommodations to any tourist in Kuakata until further notice,” he said.

Kuakata has been shut down and there is an indefinite ban on the movement of tourists in the area to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

There are no tourists in sight on the 18-km-long beach at present.

Local sources said the Kuakata tourist police have banned all tourists from the tourist spot on March 18 following instructions from the Patuakhali district administration. All the entertainment centres, along with hotels and motels, have been closed. All temporary stores on the beach have been removed.

Fishermen along the Kuakata coast are also in a tight spot. Although fishing is not banned at sea, fish prices have dropped due to the lack of buyers. So, most fishermen have stopped fishing in the sea in the absence of any official guideline.

Thousands of labourers and fishermen have become unemployed in the fisheries sector.  Lack of income has made local people desperate as they need money to make ends meet. Petty pilferages are being reported in the area.

Ziaur Rahman Sheikh, owner of Hotel Saikat in Kuakata, said: “Our hotel has been closed after the directive issued by the local administration. Most hotel employees have been discharged in this situation.”

Kuakata Tour Operators’ Association president Ruman Imtiaz Tushar said tourism-based businesses are suffering losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourist guides, tourism-based small businessmen, and tour operators have been hit the most. Low-income people, who depend on tourists, are worried about running their families, he added.

 

Kuakata tourism feels the pinch of COVID-19

Investors in the tourism sector are facing hard times, as Kuakata, one of the major tourist destinations in the country, remains deserted during the nationwide holidays.Insiders are talking about the collapse of the Kuakata tourism industry due to the 18-day nationwide holidays from March 18 to April 4, declared to prevent transmission of COVID-19. Kuakata Hotel and Motel Owners Association secretary Motaleb Sharif claimed they are losing Tk 50 lakh daily because of the nationwide holidays. He said the losses wouldadd uptoTk 20 croreduring the nationwide holidays period. There are at least 2,000 workers in hotels and their salaries run into several lakhs, he added.Besides, there are about 200 other small entrepreneurs, including tour operators, who have invested in the tourism sector. On every day of the nationwide holidays, they are facing huge losses. Motaleb Sharif urged the government to provide subsidies to the tourism sector to limit the damage caused by the general holidays. We closed residential hotels only after receiving instructions from the district administration and the tourist police. The district administration has instructed us to not provideresidential accommodations to any tourist in Kuakata until further notice, he said. Kuakata has been shut down and there is an indefinite ban on the movement of tourists in thearea to prevent the spread of COVID-19. There are no tourists in sight on the 18-km-long beach at present. Local sources said the Kuakata tourist police have banned all tourists from the tourist spot on March 18 following instructions from the Patuakhali district administration.All the entertainment centres, along with hotels and motels, have been closed. All temporary stores on the beach have been removed. Fishermen along the Kuakata coast are also in a tight spot. Although fishing is not banned at sea, fish prices have dropped due to the lack of buyers. So, most fishermen have stopped fishing in the sea in the absence of any official guideline. Thousands of labourers and fishermen have become unemployed in the fisheries sector. Lack of income has made local people desperate as they need money to make ends meet. Petty pilferages are being reported in the area. Ziaur Rahman Sheikh, owner of Hotel Saikat in Kuakata, said: Our hotel has been closed after the directive issued by the local administration. Most hotel employees have been discharged in thissituation. Kuakata Tour Operators Association president Ruman Imtiaz Tushar said tourism-based businesses are suffering losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourist guides, tourism-based small businessmen, and tour operators have been hit the most. Low-income people, who depend on tourists, are worried about running their families, he added.