Fresh-water showers, changing rooms to be added at Cox's Bazar beach

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat  has said that the government is planning to introduce facilities such as fresh-water showers, changing rooms, lockers, cafes, tourist guides, and rescue teams at Cox's Bazar beach to enhance amenities and safety for tourists.

He also mentioned an initiative to install solar-powered lighting across the entire beach area to ensure safe movement for tourists at night.

The minister made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the three-day 13th Asian Tourism Fair in Dhaka on Thursday (September 17).

The Minister noted that a vast number of tourists from across the country visit Cox's Bazar; specifically, hundreds of thousands of people gather there on Fridays and Saturdays.

However, there is a lack of adequate facilities for tourists to freshen up after bathing in the sea.

Millat stated that arrangements need to be made so that tourists can take fresh-water showers after swimming in the sea. Facilities for changing clothes and lockers will be provided, and there are also plans to set up cafes or coffee shops.

Emphasizing tourist safety, the Minister said that along with these amenities, there would be tourist police, guides, and rescue teams. Provisions for doctors and nurses will also be made for emergency rescue operations, alongside a plan to bring all these facilities under an integrated system.

Highlighting the lack of lighting at night on Cox's Bazar beach, the Minister noted that many areas become dark after sunset. Therefore, efforts are underway to provide a safe environment for tourists at night by installing solar-powered lights across the entire beach area.

He remarked that tourists need an environment where they can spend time at the beach and a place where they can also freshen up, change clothes, and access other necessary facilities after swimming. Expanding such amenities would make it easier to attract tourists.

The Minister also shared plans to develop Cox's Bazar into a regional tourism hub, stating that there is a strategy to build the area into such a hub centered around its long beach. One of the key objectives of the new Cox's Bazar International Airport is to attract international tourists.


Meanwhile, the organizers announced that the tourism fair will run until September 19, remaining open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. More than 200 organizations from 10 countries, including Bangladesh, are participating across approximately 300 booths.

The fair is being held with the approval of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and the co-operation of the Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation and the Bangladesh Tourism Board. Participants include hotels, resorts, airlines, cruise companies, tour operators, travel agencies, tourism enterprises, government tourism bodies, and various foreign embassies and missions based in Dhaka.

As of writing, the entry fee for visitors is 30 Taka. Entry coupons will allow visitors to participate in a raffle draw, which, according to the organizers, offers prizes such as air tickets, domestic and international travel packages, and gift vouchers.