Kuakata Hotels Offering 50% Discount to Boost Tourism

Kuakata Hotels Offering 50% Discount to Boost Tourism

Seven-Day Discount for World Tourism Day

In celebration of World Tourism Day, hotels and motels in Kuakata, a prime tourist destination in Patuakhali, are offering a 50% discount for seven days beginning on September 27th. The decision was taken during a meeting of the Kuakata Hotel Motel Owners’ Association on September 22nd. The offer is strategically placed to coincide with a public holiday for Eid-e-Miladunnabi and the weekly holidays on Friday and Saturday, resulting in a high demand for accommodation during this period. Already, about 80% of the rooms in the region’s hotels and motels have been booked.

Special Events and High-Quality Services

The association has planned a significant event in Dhaka to mark World Tourism Day, along with various activities in Kuakata, including a colorful procession. The hotel and motel owners are preparing to provide high-quality services to the expected influx of tourists. The recent opening of the Padma Bridge has generated more interest in visiting Kuakata due to improved road connections with Dhaka.

A representative from Hotel South Bengal reported that 90% of their rooms were booked for September 28th and 29th, and 80% for September 30th, with expectations for full occupancy in the following days. The Secretary of the Tour Operators Association of Kuakata (TOAK) confirmed that 70-80% of Kuakata’s hotels were booked from September 28th to 30th.

Accommodation Capacity and Tourist Safety

Kuakata, with over 170 large and small hotels, can accommodate between 15,000 to 20,000 people. However, during the peak tourist season, rooms become scarce, leading many to seek alternative accommodations or plan day trips. In anticipation of the large number of tourists expected during this period, the tourist police have taken measures to ensure their safety.

Boosting Tourism Amidst Challenges

The tourism sector has faced significant challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and this move is seen as a way to boost tourism and recover some of the losses incurred. As per reports, the number of tourists visiting Kuakata Beach fell drastically since March, compelling hotel and motel owners to offer up to 50% discounts on rents to attract holidaymakers and minimize losses.

The situation is expected to improve with the discounts and the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr festival, which typically sees an increase in tourist numbers. The general secretary of the Kuakata Hotel Motel Owners Association noted an increase in tourist numbers due to the Padma Bridge opening, expressing hope that the discount initiative and the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha vacation will further boost tourism and help overcome the losses during the Covid-19 pandemic.