Restricting the number of tourists visiting St Martin's Island could deal a huge blow to Bangladesh’s tourism industry, says the Sea Cruise Operator Owners Association of Bangladesh.
Hossain Islam Bahadur, general secretary of the association, read out a statement at a media call on Wednesday in Cox's Bazar, on the 13-point recommendation issued by the Prime Minister's Office on February 10 to protect the island’s biodiversity.
“We have come to know that the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) may limit the number of ships that sail to Saint Martin's Island to two, with only 1,250 tourists on board. This will negatively impact the tourism sector, as thousands of tourists will be deprived,” he said.
General Secretary Hossain Islam Bahadur of Sea Cruise Operator Owners Association of Bangladesh reads out the statement at a media call on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 Dhaka Tribune“We agree with the 13-point directive and are committed to implementing it. But limiting ships and tourists will adversely affect the tourism sector, including the hotel business in the area,” said Bahadur.
In such circumstances, the association suggested that a maximum of 3,000 tourists on 10 ships be allowed to go to St Martin’s every day, allowing the 188 hotels there to stay afloat.
Meanwhile, the authorities have already demolished a few illegally built hotels and removed waste from the island. A directive has been issued to the hotels on the island to maintain hygiene and not to dump trash.