The Quine of Bay of Bangle
BY popular
choice, Cox's Bazar has recently been ranked as one of the 'New Seven
Wonders of the World'. A favourite spot for many in Bangladesh, this
fishing port with its adjoining and unbroken 125 km of natural, gentle,
sloping sandy beach, has once again emerged as an important potential
tourist destination.
Located 150 km south of Chittagong, in south eastern Bangladesh, Cox's Bazar derived its name from Captain Hiram Cox, an officer of the British East India Company who was appointed as the Superintendent of that outpost after Warren Hastings became the Governor General of Bengal. A compassionate soul, Cox successfully mediated in the century long conflict between Arakan refugees and local Rakhains. He also made significant progress in the rehabilitation of refugees in the area. Unfortunately, he passed away prematurely in 1799 before he could complete his task. Nevertheless, the local population decided to honour this civil servant's memory by building a small market near the beach and naming it after him -- Cox's Bazaar (Cox's Market).
My only visit to this beautiful destination had been in January 1971. I failed to revisit the scene subsequently, either due to shortage of time or conflicting engagements. Consequently, when I received an invitation recently to attend an important meeting being held there, I decided to take up the opportunity. I did so with some trepidation.
I wanted to savour the sea but also wanted to find out whether necessary tourist facilities had evolved over the last four decades in and around this stunning location. I wanted to ascertain why Cox's Bazar was lagging behind as a major international tourist destination. The important question was whether this was just due to lack of publicity or was it due to absence of necessary associated factors related to international tourism. I received my answers on both accounts.
Located 150 km south of Chittagong, in south eastern Bangladesh, Cox's Bazar derived its name from Captain Hiram Cox, an officer of the British East India Company who was appointed as the Superintendent of that outpost after Warren Hastings became the Governor General of Bengal. A compassionate soul, Cox successfully mediated in the century long conflict between Arakan refugees and local Rakhains. He also made significant progress in the rehabilitation of refugees in the area. Unfortunately, he passed away prematurely in 1799 before he could complete his task. Nevertheless, the local population decided to honour this civil servant's memory by building a small market near the beach and naming it after him -- Cox's Bazaar (Cox's Market).
My only visit to this beautiful destination had been in January 1971. I failed to revisit the scene subsequently, either due to shortage of time or conflicting engagements. Consequently, when I received an invitation recently to attend an important meeting being held there, I decided to take up the opportunity. I did so with some trepidation.
I wanted to savour the sea but also wanted to find out whether necessary tourist facilities had evolved over the last four decades in and around this stunning location. I wanted to ascertain why Cox's Bazar was lagging behind as a major international tourist destination. The important question was whether this was just due to lack of publicity or was it due to absence of necessary associated factors related to international tourism. I received my answers on both accounts.
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