The usually vibrant hill town of Rangamati, known for its scenic beauty and cultural charm, has fallen silent this Durga Puja. The government’s directive advising against travel to the three hill districts from October 8 to October 31 has left Rangamati devoid of tourists, leaving local business owners disheartened and facing significant financial losses.
Rangamati, with its picturesque lakes, rolling hills, and misty clouds, is a beloved destination for travelers seeking respite from city life. The Durga Puja holiday season, usually a time of bustling activity, has turned into a stark contrast this year. The administration’s decision, prompted by recent unfortunate events, has resulted in a near-empty tourist season, despite extensive preparations by hotels, cottages, houseboats, and textile markets in Sajek and around Rangamati.
The Rangamati Chamber of Commerce and Industries reports that nearly 30,000 people rely on tourism-related activities for their livelihood in the region. Popular destinations like Sajek Valley and Shuvolong Waterfalls are eerily deserted, leaving business operators concerned about the potential long-term impact on the tourism industry. Many fear losing their investments and have called for the swift withdrawal of the travel advisory.
The decision has resulted in a significant number of hotel and motel cancellations during the Durga Puja holidays, affecting not only accommodation providers but also tourist boats, houseboats, and cottages, which had been freshly renovated for the season. Businesses are struggling to cope with the losses, with some owners even contemplating shutting down their operations before the winter season begins.
In response to unrest in the hills since September 18, travel to Sajek was discouraged in three separate phases from September 24 to October 4. Subsequently, due to the prevailing circumstances in the hill regions, the local administration recommended that tourists avoid traveling to the three hill districts between October 8 and October 31. The impact of this decision is now being felt across the tourism sector in Rangamati, with many businesses facing a bleak future amidst the silence of a normally vibrant season.
