Travelers flooded Cox’s Bazar and other regional destinations across Bangladesh on October 21, 2026, driven by a five-day holiday combining Durga Puja and weekend breaks. Despite recent security concerns following an October 17 resort fire in Inani, hoteliers reported high occupancy rates and strong domestic tourism activity.
Sun seekers and families filled the wide beachfronts along Laboni, Sugandha, and Kalatali points as a rare convergence of holidays reshaped travel patterns. Beyond the coastal stretches of Cox’s Bazar and Kuakata, visitors packed the mist-shrouded hills of Khagrachhari, Bandarban, and Sajek, alongside the blue waters of Kaptai Lake in Rangamati. Tourists rode beach bikes, rented jet skis, and wandered through hillside trails, breathing fresh life into local guesthouses, restaurants, and transport networks after a period of quiet trade.
Hotels Fill Fast As Trains Run Specials
Hospitality operators reported strong demand as the holiday period got underway. In Cox’s Bazar, major hotels recorded high advance reservation numbers, with mid-sized guesthouses and cottages also seeing high patronage. Tourism businesses estimated that several hundred thousand visitors would arrive during the multi-day break.
Bangladesh Railway operated special trains on October 20, 23, and 24, including a dedicated tourist special from Dhaka to Cox’s Bazar and an afternoon service from Chittagong to ease highway congestion and accommodate travelers heading south.
Officials Deploy Guards and Check Rates
Local authorities deployed extra personnel to manage crowds and maintain public safety. Executive magistrates led mobile courts across the city to monitor service standards, check accommodation compliance, and prevent businesses from charging excessive rates during the peak rush. Lifeguards monitored bathing areas to protect swimmers in the surf.
District officials coordinated closely with police and tourist protection units. Our priority is ensuring the safety of tourists and the proper management of the tourism industry, said Mohammad Mahmudur Rahman Sayem, assistant commissioner and executive magistrate at the Cox’s Bazar district administration’s tourism cell, adding that we are monitoring the situation to ensure no one is overcharged or harassed.
Inani Resort Fire Claims Ten Lives
The holiday rush unfolded in the shadow of a fatal fire on October 17 at a resort in the Inani area of Ukhiya, which resulted in ten deaths. While initial reports caused anxiety among prospective travelers, tourism representatives noted that the panic subsided as arrivals picked up pace.
Properties along the Marine Drive corridor built with bamboo, timber, and other flammable materials experienced a drop in reservations as visitors opted for hotels in the main town. Officials stepped up inspections across coastal lodges to verify fire safety standards and enforce regulatory compliance.
Festivals Draw Crowds to Laboni Point
The holiday coincided with major cultural events, including large-scale idol immersion ceremonies held at Laboni Point on October 21. Visitors traveled from distant cities specifically to witness the regional celebrations alongside their coastal excursions.
Business chambers and hospitality associations projected that the extended break could generate economic activity across the region’s hotels, dining establishments, and transport sectors if visitor flows remained steady through the final days of the holiday. Ten people died in the Inani resort fire on October 17.