Enjoy an Eco-Tourism Experience in Cox’s Bazar
With an increasing global awareness of the need for individuals to be ecologically responsible, eco-tourism is becoming a popular choice for many holidaymakers. Located about sixteen kilometers from Cox’s Bazar beside Rezu Khal – the crossing between Cox’s Bazar and Enani beach – the Mermaid Eco-Resort is an excellent example of environmentally friendly tourism in the spectacular Chittagong region of Bangladesh.
In keeping with the goal of sustainable living, all the buildings are constructed primarily of bamboo, thatch, wood and mud, with accommodation for up to seventy guests at a time. To ensure the biodiversity of the environment is relatively undisturbed, rooms are built on stilts. Guests will note that the trees and other vegetation, including masses of wild flowers, found at the resort have been there for decades. Moreover, each year the resort sets aside some of its income for the planting of trees. Currently water at the resort is heated by solar energy, with a future goal being to power the resort primarily on alternative energy generated by the sun, water currents and wind. Promoting the concept of sustainable living, the resort uses recycled materials wherever possible, and refuse is composted for organic farming.
The resort emphasizes the tranquility and purity of nature, and this is reflected in the décor and amenities of all the accommodation options. One-bedroom water bungalows stand on stilts above the lagoon, each with a private veranda and hammock. The one-bedroom villas include a living room with a large sofa for lazing around in, and a view of either the hills and lagoon, or the nearby fishing port. Other choices include two-bedroom villas and one-bedroom studio villas. The Ashram Beach Villas, described as a resort within a resort, feature a private beach and a host of extras for a luxurious experience.
Mermaid Eco-Resort supports local communities with free healthcare clinics on Fridays, while handicrafts made by local women are displayed for sale in the resort’s craft shop. Nearly 80 percent of the staff are from nearby villages, and ecotourism is a welcome career change as many had been making a living from labor-intensive jobs, fishing and illegal deforestation, often to the detriment of the environment. The training provided by the resort has made the staff, and no doubt their families, aware of the importance of conservation and the potential for making a living out of sharing the beauty of Bangladesh with eco-conscious tourists.
