Dhaka, Dec. 27 -- Cox's Bazar, the country's leading tourist destination, has drawn tourists in droves during the combined Christmas and weekend holidays, with hotel rooms fully booked and the shoreline crowded even on foggy mornings.

From Sugandha Point to Kolatali, the beach has been lined with tourists since Saturday, a human tide that reflects the nation's appetite for a winter break.

Despite the muted sunshine, the festive spirit is palpable, as families, friends, and travellers soak in the sea air and sands. Yet, beneath the merriment, a rising chorus of complaints reveals that the soaring costs of accommodation, food, and transport are dampening the holiday experience.

Mahbub Hasan, a visitor from Dhaka, said: "I had to pay much...