The deadly cost of negligence at Tup Tup resort

Cox’s Bazar Sea Beach is the most popular tourist destination among domestic travellers. This year, the Durga Puja celebrations come with several consecutive days of government holidays. And during this holiday stretch, travel enthusiasts are flocking to tourist destinations in their own ways. From what I have observed, Cox’s Bazar, the country’s famed beach city, has drawn the largest number of tourists during this year’s Puja holidays and people are still heading there. As far as I know, Cox’s Bazar will remain packed with tourists until October 24. Hotels and motels are fully booked. It is estimated that at least 1.5 million tourists will visit Cox’s Bazar Sea Beach.

In tourism terminology, this kind of travel is known as mass tourism. Mass tourism stands in contrast to sustainable tourism and it is precisely for this reason that mass tourism is increasingly falling out of favour. In various parts of the world, local communities have even been seen taking a stand against it.
From media reports, I have learned that the fire at Tup Tup Resort in Inani has claimed the lives of 10 tourists so far. Various sources suggest that the death toll may rise further. This tragic incident occurred in the early hours of October 17, 2026.

The resort, built entirely of wood, had just eight rooms. It was constructed about three years ago, approximately 28 kilometers south of Cox’s Bazar town, beside Marine Drive near Patuartek Beach in Jaliapalong Union, Ukhiya. The motel primarily attracts tourists through online marketing. Nor are its tariffs particularly cheap.

Yet this eco-resort had been operating without the approval of the relevant authorities. No fire safety certificate, fire extinguishers, warning signals, fire hoses, or fire safety plan. According to newspaper reports, the Fire Service Department had identified the resort as a fire hazard last June. The management, however, paid no heed to the warning and continued business as usual.

It is hardly difficult to assume that these lawbreaking businesses have managed to stay afloat year after year by paying regular monthly cuts to the authorities concerned.

Bangladesh has a comprehensive law governing the establishment and operation of hotels and motels, known as the Hotel and Restaurant Act, 2014. Guesthouses, motels, resorts, rest houses and similar establishments all fall within the Act’s definition of a hotel. For various reasons, Deputy Commissioners have been unable to discharge the responsibilities entrusted to them. Taking advantage of this inaction, a section of unscrupulous businesspeople are getting away with building hotels and resorts by whatever means necessary, with little regard for standards or safety.

And when an accident occurs because of their negligence and mismanagement, everyone suddenly becomes busy shifting the blame onto someone else.

Exploiting loopholes in the law, influential individuals are building resorts indiscriminately under the banner of eco-resorts, often using flimsy, unsafe structures. They are doing brisk business, forming unholy alliances with the relevant authorities and putting human lives at risk.

People spend their hard-earned money to visit tourist destinations with their families, seeking joy, recreation and a break from the monotony of their mechanical, everyday lives. Tourists may reasonably assume that destinations remain safe and free from undue risks under the direct supervision of the relevant destination management authorities. The Tup Tup tragedy will leave a bitter impression in the minds of travellers. It will damage the destination’s image.