Blow of Corona: rush of booking cancellation, traders worried

A new variant of the coronavirus Omicron has begun to hit the tourism business in Cox's Bazar. The number of tourists is decreasing. Rooms are being booked less than usual in hotels, motels and guest houses. Again, many people are canceling their bookings due to the corona attack. There are no crowds at the spots including beaches, restaurants and shops selling various products related to tourism.

Concerned people said that people are terrified because of Omicron. There is a lot of fear. There has also been a drop in the number of tourists fearing an increase in corona infections and the announcement of a lockdown at any moment.

During the tourist season, there is always a minimum of 50% room bookings, except for the usual weekends. But new corona infections have increased day by day due to which it has come down to 20%. Again 70-80% of room bookings are on weekends. Even in that case, 40% of the rooms have been booked. As a result, the new tourism business is in jeopardy.

Muhammad Amin, managing director of Amin International, said the hotel has a total of 35 rooms. There are guests in only 10 rooms. There were several room bookings on the occasion of the weekly holiday Friday. But due to Corona most room bookings have been canceled on the pretext of Corona infection. Room booking is being given with a 50% discount even in full season. Even then 50% of rooms are not being booked.

Abdur Rahman, chairman of Hotel ‘The Grand Sandy’, said a group of 200 people had a two-day booking for the weekend. Suddenly they canceled the booking. Most days except Fridays and Saturdays there are no bookings.

He added that the general public is worried about when the government will announce a lock down again. Because of this many people do not dare to come.

The same is true of expensive restaurants and hotels. Although many delicious food items are ready, many food items are being wasted due to the decrease in the number of food-loving tourists. Even the announcement of a new lockdown is actually a big loss panic among them.

Ashraful Islam Rakib, chairman of Kutumbari Restaurant, said his company had opened a branch of Kutumbari Restaurant just 21 days ago. Having invested crores of rupees, he is now spending his days in fear. Sales have plummeted since the Corona panic, especially as tourists rely on it. However, it was fairly crowded as on Friday.

Abul Kashem Sikder, general secretary of the Hotel and Motel Owners' Association, said that the number of tourists has decreased not only because of Corona but also due to various reasons. Besides Corona, the school was open for so long, the school tour was also closed. Most of the people come on family tours. As such, if any member of the family falls ill, they do not come again.

He added that there was a panic among the people. Especially those who have fought death in the past due to corona do not want to come in fear.

He also said that 40% of the total room bookings were on Friday at the hotel motel.

Don't grow up every day. Omicron has been newly added. Additional District Magistrate Abu Sufian said that mobile courts are being conducted in different spots of the city including hotel and motel zones with 3-4 teams every day to enforce the government ban including ensuring the wearing of masks.

He said that the campaign is continuing in the hotels as to whether the hygiene announced by the government as a regular campaign is being followed properly. If there is any inconsistency in any matter, fines are also being imposed.

Tourists in particular are being discouraged from walking on the beach without masks. Besides, masks are being distributed to increase awareness. The additional district magistrate also informed that regular miking is being done to ensure that the mask is worn.