At a time when the tourism business in Cox’s Bazar is trying to tide over Covid-19 induced losses, fear grips hoteliers, restaurant owners, and tourists following the recent incident of gang rape of a woman. Tourists’ security has become a matter of great concern after repeated incidents of grave crimes in the country’s largest tourist destination. Such rape cases and sudden incidents of vandalism in a tourist city would only make tourists to avoid visiting the prime tourism hub in the country. Local hoteliers said they are afraid of the possible impact of the insecurity, sinister vandalism on their business in the upcoming months as people are infuriated.
Every year, around 60-70 lakh tourists come to the world’s largest sea beach in Cox’s Bazar, which has around 450 hotels, motels, resorts, guest houses and restaurants. At least 77 projects are ongoing in Cox’s Bazar, including some mega projects that aim at changing the landscape of the district into a hub for not only tourism but also trade and connectivity. Hundreds and thousands of tourists from all over the country flock to Cox’s Bazar beach whenever they get a few days’ break from work. However, there are only 200 tourist policemen deployed in the district, including Saint Martin’s Island. There is no security arrangement for tourists at places like Himchhari, Ramu, Sonadia, Sabrang and Teknaf. Crimes including mugging, snatching and murder are quite prevalent, said locals.
Cox’s Bazar City remains far from becoming tourist-friendly over the years. It is the tourist police and local administration’s duty to take care of security in the beach areas. Creation of a tourist-friendly environment will eventually boost the tourism sector, worst affected by Covid-19, to recover from the slowdown. It is alleged that a section of police officials are trying to divert the case through victim-blaming which is totally unacceptable. Police and local administration should professionally handle the rape case to bring the culprits to justice and restore people’s confidence in their ability ensure safety and security of tourists.
