Colourful carnival kicks off in Cox's Bazar to boost tourism

In a vibrant spectacle of culture and celebration, a week-long carnival has commenced in Cox's Bazar, aimed at promoting tourism and showcasing the world's longest sea beach.

The district administration is orchestrating this colourful extravaganza marking the World Tourism Day, with Bashundhara Group taking centre stage as the premium sponsor.

The festivities kicked off with a resplendent procession, followed by engaging discussions that captivated the audience.

The carnival was inaugurated at Labani point on the beach by Lawmaker Shaimum Sarwar Kamal, along with Cox’s Bazar's deputy commissioner, Muhammad Shaheen Imran.

Esteemed guests of honour included Awami League religious affairs secretary Sirajul Mostafa and Members of Parliament Asheq Ullah Rafiq, Zafar Alam and Kaniz Fatema Ahmed.

The event also saw the presence of Cox’s Bazar superintendent of police Mahfuzul Islam, tourist police SP Zillur Rahman, Mayor Mahbubur Rahman Chowdhury, Bashundhara Group senior general manager Md Abu Hena and Cox’s Bazar Press Club president Abu Taher.

As the carnival unfolds, Cox's Bazar city has been adorned with a riot of colours, enhancing the festive atmosphere. Hotels, motels, restaurants, and tourism-related establishments have spared no effort in preparing a warm welcome for tourists flocking to the city.

Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Shaheen Imran shared his perspective on the significance of this fair and beach carnival, asserting that it is designed to showcase the myriad attractions of Cox's Bazar to both local and international tourists. He expressed hope that the vibrancy of this seven-day festival would resonate globally.

More than 200 stalls have been erected for the tourism fairs and beach carnivals. To entice tourists, establishments in the tourism sector, including hotels, motels, and restaurants, have announced 'special discounts.'

Ensuring the safety of the numerous carnival-goers, Superintendent of Police of Tourist Police Cox's Bazar region, Zillur Rahman, emphasized the implementation of heightened security measures. With a large influx of tourists expected, these measures are intended to ensure the overall safety of visitors.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Yamin Hossain, the convener of the programme, underscored the primary objective of these events – to bolster tourism in the district. As the carnival unfolds, it is anticipated that the vibrant spirit of Cox's Bazar will captivate visitors, leaving an indelible mark on their memories.

"As part of the festival's preparations, the local administration has released a theme song and launched a five-day cleanliness campaign, which commenced last Saturday," he said.

As the day unfolds, a boat rally will embark on its journey, culminating at Maheshkhali Jetty. The festival will also showcase a circus and a variety of cultural events, featuring performances by artists from all corners of Bangladesh.

In addition to the daily Circus Show, there will be a Beach Bike Rally, Cultural Show, DJ Show, Fireworks, Road Show, Seminar, Kite Festival, Magic Show, Fire Spinning, Life Guard Rescue Show, Lantern Festival, Surfing Exhibition, Beach Marathon, Beach Volleyball, Award presentations, and closing ceremonies with concerts.

Local artists, as well as talents from different regions, are converging to entertain tourists and visitors at this grand event. Among them, regional language artists from Kushtia Lalon Academy and Sylhet will grace the stage. Artists from Sunamganj will perform a medley of regional songs, including those by Hasan Raja. Mahuapala from Mymensingh and Bhaoiya singers from Kurigram will also be in attendance.

Cultural enthusiasts from various small ethnic groups will journey from Bandarban and Khagrachari to participate. Additionally, local singer Prem Sundar from Chittagong, along with national-level artists such as Sania Sultana Liza, Fatima Tuz Zahra Oyshee, Tanzir Tuhin, Robi Chowdhury and Nishita Barua will be taking part in the concert festivities.