Gulam Rabbani :
A chaotic situation is prevailing at the important tourist spots of the country. Most of the owners of hotels, motels, resorts and restaurants are taking advantage of the adequacy of tourists. They are realising room rent from the tourists several times higher than the normal time.
But, there is none to pull the reins of the dishonest businessmen. As a result the tourists coming from different places are being harassed and cheated.
In addition to the high rent of hotel rooms and food price, tourists have become increasingly concerned about their security after a woman was allegedly raped in Cox’s Bazar recently. Many are also worried about whether they will go to Cox’s Bazar with their families in the future. Many important tourist spots are located in Bandarban district. Naturally a huge crowd of tourists gathered there. But throughout the month of December, the owners of the hotels, motels and resorts are charging extra room rent from the tourists. The price of food in the restaurants is also very high in the current season. As if there is no one to stop it.
During a recent visit in Bandarban it has been observed that the room rent of hotels and motels is being charged twice of the realrent. These increased rents are collected openly. The room rent which was earlier realized Tk 1000 to 2000.
Apart from this, the entry fee at important spots like Nilgiri, Nilachal and Meghla, is Tk 50 to 100 per head. The authorities are also realizing parking charge from the tourists. But, there are not enough sanitation facilities for the tourists there. As a result, tourists especially women, children and aged persons are facing serious problems in these
Cox’s Bazar is the most important tourist spot in the country. But for the last two weeks, the situation there has been dire. Every day a large number of domestic and foreign tourists are going there. There are no vacancies in more than 450 hotels, motels and guest houses at weekends. But some greedy hotel owners are realizing extra fares from the tourists taking the advantage of overcrowded situation.
Azizul Hakim who visited Cox’s Bazar last week from Savar upazila in Dhaka said, “We booked the hotel rooms. But even then the room that was rented for Tk 1500 to 2000 we were charged for Tk 3000. In addition, the price of food in restaurants inside and outside the hotel is higher than usual.”
Munni Akter, another tourist who recently visited Sajek Valley, another important tourist spot in Rangamati hill district, said, “Although it is a very attractive tourist spot, there is no doctor, medical center or pharmacy at least for the first aid. As a result, when someone suddenly falls ill, a terrible situation arises. A tourist has to go to nearest Khagrachhari town to see a doctor which is an extra harassment.”
In addition to all these problems in the tourist spots, allegation of rape of a woman in Cox’s Bazar has bewildered the tourists about their security.
Law enforcers are yet to arrest anyone involved with the alleged gang rape of the woman in Cox’s Bazar till Friday afternoon. Tourist police have started an investigation into the incident. The victim and her husband are in custody. The woman and her husband might be produced before a court today following an interrogation, sources said.
