Thousands of tourists have gathered in Cox's Bazar to welcome the New Year with zeal and fervor.
They’ve already reached at the beach resort town to welcome in 2023 on the Gregorian calendar.
Most hotels, motels, resorts, and guest houses have been pre-booked by tourists, and the owners expect what is left should soon be gone too.
However, due to security concerns, there will be no outdoor events in Cox's Bazar.
Abu Sufian, additional district magistrate of Cox’s Bazar, announced as per government ban, no outdoor event is allowed on the beach this year.
However, people from all over the country will visit Cox's Bazar to witness the last sunset of 2022 and the first sunrise of 2023. There will also be a number of indoor festivities scheduled in various hotels to ring in the New Year.
Abul Kashem Sikder, general secretary of the Cox's Bazar Hotel Motel Guest House Owners' Association, said that several thousand tourists are expected to visit Cox's Bazar, and 70% of rooms have already been reserved for the '31st Night' (New Year's Eve) celebration this year.
No event will be held on the beach as there is a government ban on holding events outdoors. As a result, hotels and motels are not yet fully booked, said Abul Kashem.
As usual, starred hotels are expected to be completely booked. Five-star hotels are preparing to host thirty first-night events. Additionally, advance ticket sales have begun.
Naved Chowdhury, AGM of Inani's Royal Tulip hotel, said that “Our hotel is fully booked until January 1. On the eve of the New Year, many events are organized."
There will be various grand events at the Ocean Paradise, Cox Today, Simon Beach, and Long Beach hotels, Naved added.
The district administration and police said the law enforcement agencies have taken extra precautions to ensure the safety of the tourists in Cox’s Bazar.
Besides, the district administration has formed a special monitoring cell to maintain discipline in the tourism hub. The tourist police have also taken several security measures to ensure the safety of tourists.
Zillur Rahman, Police Superintendent of Cox's Bazar Tourist Police, said that CCTV cameras have been installed in all 450 residential hotels to ensure security.
“Additional police will be deployed in Himchari, Inani, and Patuartek zones when the St. Martin cruise starts on January 1,” he said.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
