Photo: Collected
The ongoing political turmoil that started in October has once again delivered a severe blow to Bangladesh's travel, tourism, and hospitality sectors.
Multiple hotels and motels report a significant decline in business, some experiencing up to a 30% drop in their usual operations.
Industry insiders emphasise that Bangladesh typically experiences peak tourism from the last week of October to the final week of March. However, the current situation has resulted in the suspension of long-distance travel, directly impacting the tourism sector. Traditionally, families take advantage of this period for recreational activities after the conclusion of annual exams of the children. This year, however, the dynamics have shifted, with many hesitant to venture outside, except for a few brave souls.
- Hotels report 30% drop in business amid ongoing political turmoil.
- The peak tourism season in Bangladesh typically spans from the last week of October to the last week of March.
- Prior to the 28th October, the load factor of airlines ranged from 70 to 80 percent. Unfortunately, it has now decreased by 25 to 30 percent.
Moreover, the unrest has caused a wave of cancellations among outbound tourists who initially planned vacations abroad. This hesitancy to travel stems from the prevailing political turmoil within the country.
Speaking with The Daily Messenger, Ziaul Haque Howlader, the General Manager overseeing Public Relations and Planning at Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), said, "There is a substantial downturn in the hotel and motel business, indicating a 30 percent decline compared to the usual period. Currently, the occupancy rates at Parjatan hotels, motels, and resorts have plummeted to as low as 20 to 25 percent.
Howlader further highlighted that numerous hotels are forced to implement staff layoffs due to business levels falling below expectations, particularly during the peak season.
“However, there is optimism about an improvement in the situation in Cox’s Bazar. This positive outlook is attributed to the recent launch of the train service on the Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar route, with expectations of visible effects within the next two weeks,” added Ziaul
The dry spell in the hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors, influenced by political unrest, has also impacted airlines. The load factor of passenger airlines has seen a decline, dropping to as low as 60–65 percent.
Kamrul Islam, the General Manager of Public Relations at US-Bangla Airlines, informed The Daily Messenger that prior to October 28th, the load factor ranged from 70 to 80 percent. Unfortunately, it has now decreased by 25 to 30 percent. He emphasised the significance of the winter schedule, typically observed from the last week of October to the last week of March, within the aviation industry.
“With the decrease in the number of long-distance passengers, overall air travel has been adversely affected. The reduced demand has led to a decline in the number of passengers opting for air travel. Additionally, there has been a noticeable drop in advance ticket bookings, a trend that is typically observed after the conclusion of annual exams,” he said.
He expressed regret that the airline industry, which was gradually recovering from the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, is now facing renewed challenges due to recent political unrest. The current situation is taking its toll on the industry, and there are concerns that the political unrest, anticipated to persist until the next parliamentary election scheduled for January 7, will exacerbate the challenges. This is particularly worrisome, as the months of November, December, and January are crucial during the peak tourist season.
Mesbah-ul-Islam, Head of Marketing and Sales at Novo Air, informed The Daily Messenger that they initially witnessed a 20 percent drop in their load factor during the early weeks of political unrest when it declined from 78 percent. However, he mentioned that after November 20, the situation stabilized, returning to normal levels.
He highlighted that the Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar route specifically witnessed a decline in the number of passengers, but other destinations have maintained their normal levels of activity.
Taufiq Rahman, a tourism expert and Chief Executive of Journey Plus, highlighted the significant impact of recent political turmoil on domestic tourist turnout, estimating a reduction of tourist movement by around 20 to 25 percent. He also emphasized a substantial decline in inbound tourism, reporting reductions ranging from 70 to 80 percent. Rahman mentioned that individuals who usually spend their holidays outside Bangladesh have become hesitant to travel abroad due to prevailing tensions.
Rahman noted the absence of official statistics on total tourist turnout in the country. Unofficial estimates suggest a domestic tourist turnout ranging from two to four crore annually, with projected tourist movement during the peak season expected to be between 40 to 50 lakh.
Ekramul Haque Razu, Executive Director of Bangladesh Foundation for Tourism Development, disclosed that numerous foreign tourist groups, usually selecting Bangladesh as a winter destination, have canceled their bookings. For instance, a tourist group from India scheduled to arrive on December 7 had to cancel their plans due to a grand rally in Dhaka on December 10.
Razu explained the canceled itinerary, spanning six nights and seven days, covering various destinations such as Barisal, Satkhira, Bogura, Sylhet, Chattogram, and concluding in Dhaka. To adapt to the situation, plans are being made for foreign tourists from Tuesday night till Friday night, as there are no blockades on these days.
He further commented on the altered landscape of the tourism industry, noting abnormal price hikes in commodities, food, and other necessities, along with noticeable increases in spot rents. Adjusting strategies, they are planning schedules for foreign tourists from Tuesday night till Friday night, considering the absence of blockades on these specific days.
Messenger/Nahar/Alamin
