Travel ban severely impacts CHT tourism businesses

Typically bustling with tourists during public holidays, popular destinations in the three hill districts now appear deserted following a recent directive discouraging visits to the region. Tourism businesses in Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachhari are bracing for significant losses as all bookings have been cancelled due to the restrictions. The district administrations urged people not to visit the hill districts from October 8 to 31, citing "unavoidable reasons," such as safety concerns and the aftermath of recent natural disasters.

Rangamati Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain Khan explained that the decision was made to ensure tourist safety, with the hope that the situation will improve by the end of the month. "We have advised tourists not to visit Rangamati during this period. Travel can resume once conditions stabilize," he said.

The travel ban came at a challenging time for the tourism industry, as hotels and resorts had received numerous advance bookings for the Durga Puja holiday, a major Hindu festival.

Alok Bikash Chakma, manager of the Rangamati Parjatan Corporation, noted that tourism was already suffering from the effects of natural disasters, and recent violence in the hills further deterred visitors. The restrictions have worsened the industry's struggles, he said, but he remains hopeful that lifting the ban will help the sector recover.

"We are facing a major crisis," said Ramzan Ali, a leaseholder at the Rangamati Parjatan Corporation boat dock. "The Hanging Bridge was submerged by recent floods, and now we have this travel ban. Our future feels uncertain."

Md Sultan, manager of Hotel Square Park, shared similar concerns. "All bookings have been cancelled, and our hotels are empty. Normally, we are fully booked at this time of year," he said.

Local tourism associations have voiced serious concerns over the economic fallout from the ban. Ten organizations, including the Rangamati Resort Owners Association and Houseboat Owners' Association, submitted a memorandum urging the district administration to lift the ban immediately, warning that it could push the growing tourism sector to the verge of collapse.

"We are facing severe uncertainty regarding our livelihoods. The ban sends a negative signal to tourists and could devastate the region’s tourism industry," they said in the memorandum.

CHT Adviser Supradip Chakma recently indicated that the ban would be lifted soon. "We are in discussions with the Home Affairs adviser, and a decision will be announced shortly," he said.