Bangladesh officials announced a full travel ban to the country’s only coral-rich island located in Teknaf of Cox’s Bazar for a duration of 270 days, effective February 1, 2025.
For the longest time, St. Martin Island has been facing various tourism-related hurdles, including overcrowding, rampant litter accumulation, and the deterioration of coral reefs, leading to ongoing demands for enhanced environmental safeguards.
Initially, the tourist season in St. Martin, normally lasting from October to March, has been cut to a shorter period from November to January.
Overnight stays on the island were completely banned in November, 2024. In December, 2024 and January 2025, a daily limit of 2,000 visitors was also enforced.
Finally, St. Martin’s full tourism ban has been enacted by the country’s Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change this month. Tourist ships and ferries were also permitted to operate to St. Martin’s until February 1 only; thereafter, no vessels were allowed to the island.
According to the officials, the complete ban was implemented in order to safeguard the island’s delicate ecosystem that is threatened by a number of environmental issues.
However, the enactment of the full tourist ban has also led to serious concerns about the long-term economic repercussions for the island and considerably diminished economic prospects for local residents who rely on the tourism sector.
Tourism suspension has raised anxiety among local entrepreneurs, hotel owners, and tourism stakeholders, most of whom depend on the recurring surge of visitors.
As Ramadan commences in March, February is regarded as the optimal period for travel to the Island. If the tourism is halted during this time, the local residents will face significant financial setbacks.