Rangamati Photo: BSS

By Mansur Ahmed

RANGAMATI, Jan 1, 2026 (BSS) - Rangamati, often described as the hilly daughter of natural beauty, is witnessing a record surge in tourists during the ongoing winter season, with hotels, resorts and cottages operating at full capacity.

Tourists from different parts of the country are flocking to the hill district to escape the fatigue of city life and enjoy its serene landscape of mountains, clouds, waterfalls and lakes. While Rangamati usually sees increased tourist movement from Thursday to Saturday, this winter season has brought a steady flow of visitors throughout the week.

According to tourism-related stakeholders, the influx of visitors has risen sharply since December. At present, almost no rooms are available in hotels, motels or resorts, significantly boosting business for transport operators, restaurants and other tourism-linked services.

Sajek Valley remains the most popular and crowded destination in the district. Situated in the Megh-Pahar mountain range, Sajek is currently packed with tourists, with nearly 100 percent of hotel and motel rooms booked. On holidays, an average of around 3,000 tourists travel to Sajek daily to enjoy the winter weather.

Chai Thoai Chowdhury, vice-president of the Sajek Cottage Owners' Association, said Sajek has been experiencing an exceptional tourist rush since December. "From the last day of 2025 till now, almost all hotels, resorts and cottages have been fully booked," he said, adding that many tourists arrived without prior reservations and had to be accommodated in clubs or private homes.

The association reports that Sajek currently has around 140 hotels, resorts and cottages, along with more than 14 restaurants, all of which are operating at full capacity.

Transport operators have also benefited from the increased tourist movement. Yasin Arafat, a lineman of the Khagrachari-Sajek Road Jeep Association, said the current period is the busiest time of the year. "Due to the tourist rush, our income has improved," he said.

Tourist activity is not limited to Sajek. Popular spots in Rangamati town, including the Hanging Bridge, Polwel Park, Aranyak, Assam Basti and Kaptai Road, are also crowded. Many visitors are taking boat trips to Subhalong to enjoy the clear blue waters of Kaptai Lake and surrounding hills.

Jamir Uddin, a tourist from Chattogram, said the natural beauty of Rangamati left a lasting impression on him. "The winding hill roads and the combination of lakes and mountains are breathtaking. I will definitely visit again," he said.

Local businesses are welcoming the surge. Fakhrul Islam, a toll collector at the tourist boat pier, said all those involved in the tourism sector are benefiting from the increased number of visitors. Niaz Ahmed, owner of Hotel Square Park in Rangamati town, said all rooms were fully booked and many guests had to be turned away due to lack of space.

Alok Bikash Chakma, manager of the Tourism Holiday Complex under the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation in Rangamati, said the district is experiencing an unprecedented number of tourists. "Since last December, the number of visitors has increased several times and this trend is expected to continue until January," he said, noting that around 3,000 to 3,500 tourists cross the Hanging Bridge daily, with higher numbers during holidays.

Tourist Police Rangamati Zone In-charge Tariqul Alam Jewel said law enforcement agencies are on alert to ensure the safety and smooth movement of visitors during the busy season. "We are working so that tourists do not face any unexpected problems," he said.