The first-ever “Kuakata Mega Beach Carnival-2017” is going to begin tomorrow eying to make the south-eastern sandy beach of Bangladesh familiar as popular tourist destination both locally and internationally.
Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith will inaugurate the grand opening of the three-day carnival on 14 January morning, said Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Akhtaruz Zaman Khan Kabir at a press conference held at BTB conference room.
Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon, Tourism Secretary S M Ghulam Farooque and other officials were present.
“Successful celebration of the mega carnival would acquaint the Kuakata beach and adjacent tourism spots with the local and international tourists,” said BTB CEO.
He said BTB under the supervision of tourism ministry is organizing the mega event, as 2016 was announced as “Tourism Year” by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Kabir said BTB, Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC) and non-government tourism organizations would organize round-the-year events till 2018 as part of the Tourism Year’s programmes to brand Bangladesh as a single tourist destination.
Kuakata is located at Patuakhali district, south-eastern side of Bangladesh, which has a sandy beach of 18 kilometers long and 3 kilometers wide. From the beach, one can have an unobstructed view of both sunrise and sunset over the Bay of Bengal.
In the three-day carnival, special entertainment facilities have been organized for the tourists such as beach football, beach cricket, volleyball, kite flying, local games, water bike, ATB rides, boat rowing, beach lighting, camp fire, Kuakata-Sundarban Sea cursing etc.
Besides, eye-catching natural view of Kuakata, diversified life styles of Rakhaine people, historical water well, boat of ancient period, Buddhist temple and 100 Gods Temple of Hindu communities would be the special attraction of the carnival.
Moreover, adventurous tourism attractions like human foosball, ascending and descending, tree top activities, adventure gear shop, fire camp, BBQ, forest trekking, walking and cycle rally would also be organized to attract tourists.
Closing ceremony of the carnival would be held on the night of January 16.
Replying to a query regarding the participation of foreign tourists, the Tourism Minister said few countries have still continued travel advisory that is why ambassadors and high commissioners of different countries have been invited to the carnival.
“They (envoys) would disseminate messages to their citizens about the beauty of Kuakata and Bangladesh,” he hoped.
