Sajek reopens, but tourists remain wary of visit

Sajek Valley, a popular tourist destination in Rangamati, reopened to visitors on July 15 after remaining closed for eight consecutive days due to incessant rain and flooding. However, even a week after the reopening, tourists remain cautious about visiting.

According to the Sajek Resort and Cottage Owners' Association, as the turnout of tourists remains very low, there are no advance bookings for resorts or cottages.

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Mishu Dey, owner of Ruilui Holiday Resort, said the monsoon season is the ideal time for a holiday in Sajek, as the movement of clouds across the valley is most spectacular during this period.

However, many previous bookings were cancelled due to adverse weather conditions, he added.

Indra Chakma, who owns the Sajek Hill View Resort, said rooms in all the resorts and cottages remain largely vacant, with only about 10 to 15 vehicles arriving and departing daily.

“Many visitors arrive in the morning and return to Khagrachhari by the afternoon. In fact, many tourists are still unaware that Sajek has reopened,” he added.

Matijoy Tripura, assistant general secretary of the Sajek Resort and Cottage Owners’ Association, said, “There are over 110 resorts and cottages in Sajek. Cottage owners are facing varying degrees of financial loss due to the absence of tourists.”

The slump in the arrival of tourists has also affected attractions around Kaptai Lake in Rangamati town, including the hanging bridge, alongside Sajek.

Md Sohel, in‑charge of the hanging bridge’s ticket counter, said that while 500 to 800 tickets are sold daily under normal circumstances, sales now average around a hundred per day.

Alok Bikash Chakma, manager of Rangamati Tourism Holiday Complex, said tourist arrivals at the motel were steady prior to the rains.

However, the situation has now deteriorated significantly due to rainfall, landslides, and flooding. “Tourists are largely staying away from the hills,” he added.

Sumet Chakma, general secretary of Rangamati Resort Owners’ Association and managing director of Bargee Lake Valley, said 50 percent of resort bookings were cancelled due to continuous rainfall. With the rain having subsided, bookings are now picking up slightly.