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Tourist Travel to St. Martin’s Suspended for 9 Months Starting Feb 1
Tourist travel to St. Martin's, the coral-rich island off the coast of Teknaf in Cox's Bazar, will be suspended for nine months starting February 1, as part of a new directive from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. The closure is set to last until November 2025.
Typically, the island’s tourist season runs from October 1 to March 31, but this year, regulations have limited travel to an earlier end date.
Cox's Bazar's Additional District Magistrate, Imran Hossain, confirmed that tourist ships will be permitted to operate to St. Martin’s until January 31. “After this date, no tourist ships will be allowed to depart,” he stated.
The sudden suspension has sparked concern among local businesses, as tourism plays a crucial role in the island’s economy.
MA Abdur Rahim Jihadi, President of the St. Martin Hotel-Motel-Resort Owners Association, expressed anxiety about the repercussions for local livelihoods. “This is the first time the island has faced such a crisis,” he said. “The halt in tourism will cause severe challenges for the community, as hundreds of people rely on this industry for their income.”
Jihadi further appealed to the government, suggesting a compromise. “We urge the authorities to reconsider this decision or, at the very least, allow tourists to visit until February 28, which would help alleviate some of the impact on local businesses.”
Local stakeholders hope the government will revisit the decision, seeking a balanced approach that safeguards both the environment and the livelihoods of St. Martin’s residents.