No tourist vessels operated on the Cox’s Bazar-Saint Martin’s Island route on Sunday, despite the official start of the tourism season, as the ships are yet to receive the necessary clearances.
The country’s only coral island is expected to reopen to tourists on November 5 or 6, with regular vessel services likely to begin early next week after the completion of administrative and technical formalities.
According to decisions taken at an inter-ministerial meeting of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on October 25, tourists will be allowed to visit the island until March 15, 2027. Daily visitor numbers will be capped at 3,500, with each tourist required to pay a Tk100 environmental conservation fee.
Preparations are underway across the island, with renovation and cleaning work at hotels, resorts, cottages and restaurants nearing completion. Local business owners, many of whom have suffered financial losses due to prolonged restrictions on tourism, are hoping the new season will revive their businesses.
However, infrastructure concerns remain at the two jetties used by tourist vessels. While Saint Martin’s jetty is ready to receive vessels, the Nunia Chhara jetty in Cox’s Bazar still needs additional stairs to ensure safe passenger boarding and disembarkation.
Hossain Islam Bahadur, general secretary of the Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh (SCOAB), said another staircase was needed at Nunia Chhara jetty to ensure passenger safety.
He said three vessels — MV Karnaphuli Express, MV Bar Aulia and MV Teknaf — had received permission to operate on the Cox’s Bazar-Saint Martin’s route after obtaining approval from the Department of Environment and complying with Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) requirements. Approval for other vessels is still pending.
Nayan Shil, acting deputy director of Cox’s Bazar River Port, said infrastructure work at Nunia Chhara jetty was almost complete, with the remaining tasks expected to be finished within a day or two. Vessel operations could begin once the relevant authorities granted clearance.
Concerns have also been raised over the condition of the jetty pontoon, with local residents and business owners alleging that prolonged use has caused rust and deterioration, potentially putting passengers at risk.
Local resident Shaker Alam said the main jetty structure was ready, but the pontoon needed urgent repairs before tourist services resumed.
Mohammad Saifuddin, assistant engineer at the Cox’s Bazar District Council, said development work worth around Tk7 crore was underway at the jetty. Efforts were being made to make the platform and other essential sections operational before vessel services resumed. He also said allegations regarding the construction work would be investigated.
Meanwhile, the Teknaf upazila administration has received more than 300 applications for permission to renovate hotels, resorts and restaurants ahead of the season. Applications are being reviewed, with approvals issued in phases. The island currently has more than 200 accommodation facilities and tourism-related establishments.
Mohammad Tayeb Ullah, a resort owner on the island, said the prolonged downturn had made it difficult to keep his business running, but the prospect of tourists returning had brought fresh hope.
Local businessman Alamgir Akash said the island’s economy depended largely on a two-to-three-month tourism season, with earnings during that period supporting livelihoods throughout the year.
Abdur Rahman, a representative of the Saint Martin’s Hotel Owners and Business Association, said the resumption of tourism would revive local businesses and benefit thousands of people dependent on the sector.
Saint Martin’s Union Parishad Acting Chairman Faizul Islam said renovation work at most hotels and restaurants was nearing completion, but the jetty pontoon needed urgent repairs to ensure safe passenger movement.
Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer SM Anik Chowdhury said environmental protection would be the top priority this season. The administration was reviewing renovation applications and coordinating with business owners and other stakeholders on cleanliness, waste management and conservation measures.
Stakeholders said limiting visitor numbers, collecting conservation fees and strengthening administrative monitoring would be crucial to protecting the island’s coral formations and marine biodiversity while allowing tourism to resume.
Regular vessel services are expected to begin on November 5 or 6, ending the prolonged disruption to tourism on the island.