Bangladesh, Oct. 20 -- More than 600 hotels, motels, resorts, cottages and restaurants operate across Cox's Bazar's major tourist destinations, but a large number of those, reportedly, lack mandatory fire-safety licences, environmental clearances and construction approvals, raising serious concerns over tourists' safety and the sustainability of the country's premier tourism hub.

The issue of safety standards has now surfaced again following a devastating fire at TupTup Restaurant and Resort in Patwartek, Inani, which killed 10 tourists, exposing regulatory gaps and prompting calls for stronger monitoring and preventive action to ensure that tourism establishments comply with safety and environmental requirements.

A large portion of the...