Category: TRAVEL

Tourist ships have resumed trips to Saint Martin’s Island in Cox’s Bazar after a nine-month halt, with the Bar Aulia ship departing with 700 passengers. Strict environmental regulations are in place, including a ban on polythene and plastic, and a limit of 2,000 overnight tourists during December and January. Ships are currently only permitted to depart from Cox’s Bazar town.READ FULL

Tourism businesses in Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) are facing severe losses after authorities imposed travel restrictions from October 8-31 due to safety concerns and recent natural disasters. The ban, affecting Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachhari districts, came during peak tourist season including Durga Puja festivities. All hotel bookings have been canceled, leaving tourist spots deserted. Local tourism associations have submitted a memorandum requesting the immediate lifting of restrictions. Officials indicate the ban may be lifted soon.READ FULL

A record number of climbers have gathered in Tibet to attempt climbing Mount Shisha Pangma, aiming to complete mountaineering’s ultimate challenge of scaling all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters. About 20 climbers are competing this month, including 22-year-old Pakistani Shehroze Kashif and 18-year-old Nepali Nima Rinji Sherpa. While it took Reinhold Messner 16 years to become the first person to achieve this feat in 1986, modern technology and improved logistics have made the challenge more accessible.READ FULL

The United States has reduced its travel advisory for Bangladesh from Level 4 to Level 3, now urging citizens to reconsider travel rather than avoid it entirely. This change comes ahead of a scheduled US delegation visit to Bangladesh. The advisory notes that while civil unrest has largely ended since July 2024, conditions may change quickly. The upcoming US delegation, including Assistant Secretary Donald Lu, will discuss supporting Bangladesh’s economic growth, financial stability, and development needs during their visit.READ FULL