Barishal – Hundreds of tourists have arrived in the coastal town of Kuakata, on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, to enjoy a long Christmas weekend.
The holiday period, extended to three days by the adjoining weekend, has drawn visitors to this major tourist center in the southern Bangladeshi district of Patuakhali.
Local businesses, including hotels and motels, have refurbished their establishments in anticipation of an estimated 300,000 tourists this winter season.
As part of this effort, accommodations and their surroundings have been thoroughly cleaned and redecorated.
According to tour operators, most hotel rooms are already fully booked, with tourist numbers rising steadily since Wednesday.
Two first-time visitors, Nilima and Sujoy, said they were enjoying their trip but suggested that the road connecting Patuakhali town to the beach required further improvement.
Authorities have emphasized preparations for visitor safety.
The tourist police stated that all necessary arrangements are in place, while Officer-in-Charge Muhammad Mohabbat of the local Mohipur Police Station confirmed that security measures have been tightened to ensure safe tourism.
Beach vendor Sagir Hossain, who rents umbrellas and benches, noted a significant influx of tourists beginning Wednesday afternoon.
Abdul Motaleb Sharif, chief of the Kuakata Hotel-Motel Owners Association, reported that all hotels in Kuakata are fully booked for the three-day holiday period.
He expressed optimism for strong business this season.
Kuakata Municipal administrator Yasin Sadek also projected a potential surge in visitors this season.
