Cox’s Bazar Falls Silent as Ramadan Empties the World's Longest Beach

The world’s longest natural sea beach in Cox's Bazar has turned unusually quiet with the start of Ramadan. Just weeks ago, thousands of visitors crowded the shoreline. Now, the sound of waves has replaced the usual buzz of tourists.

Popular points including Sugandha, Kalatali and Laboni are nearly empty. Footprints have faded from the sand. Beach bikes stand idle, photographers wait without clients, and horse riders pass time hoping for customers.

More than 500 hotels, motels and guesthouses in the town are facing a sharp drop in occupancy. Industry insiders say about 90 percent of rooms are currently vacant. Even luxury hotels offering discounts of 40 to 60 percent report minimal bookings.

According to tourism business leaders, daily hotel occupancy before Ramadan averaged around 30,000 guests. That number has now fallen to only a few hundred. Nearly 3,000 tourism-related businesses — including restaurants, souvenir shops, oyster and handicraft stalls — have slowed or temporarily closed.

Mobile photographers, horse riders and beach bike operators say income has almost stopped. Traders report significant financial losses during the month.

The slowdown has also affected employees. Some businesses have reduced staff due to low demand, creating uncertainty ahead of Eid.

Touhidur Islam, a hotel trader in Kalatali, said he rented rooms for only two days since Ramadan began. “Now the hotel is completely empty,” he said.

Lifeguard Mohammad Ali said tourist numbers have dropped sharply, though safety patrols continue as usual.

Horse rider Kasem said he is struggling to cover even the cost of horse feed. Beach bike driver Zahed reported that visitor numbers across Laboni, Sugandha and Kalatali points combined barely exceed a hundred on some days.

Photographer Tamiz Uddin said that before Ramadan, over 100 photographers worked daily at Laboni Point. Now, only 10 to 20 remain, often earning less than Tk100 a day.

Abul Kashem Sikder, president of the Hotel-Motel and Guest House Owners Association, said bookings are currently near zero but expects a rebound during Eid holidays.

Additional DIG Apel Mahmud, head of the Tourist Police Cox’s Bazar Region, said security remains tight despite the lower footfall. “Tourists can visit safely even during this quieter period,” he said.

Business owners remain hopeful that visitors will return once Ramadan ends, bringing life back to the beach town.