A human chain was formed in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Cox’s Bazar on Wednesday to protest against the restriction on tourist access and ban on overnight stay at Saint Martin’s Island.
The human chain was formed by 13 organizations, including the St. Martin’s Island Environmental and Tourism Development Coalition, the Tour Operators Association of Cox’s Bazar (TOAC), and the St. Martin’s Hotel Owners Association.
The coral island of Saint Martin is one of the most attractive destinations for both domestic and foreign tourists. Many people visit Cox's Bazar primarily due to the allure of this island. There are concerns among stakeholders that if overnight stays for tourists on Saint Martin’s Island are prohibited and travel is restricted, it will adversely affect the livelihoods of over 300,000 people directly involved in the tourism industry.
Speakers at the human chain said that if overnight stays are prohibited on the island, the livelihoods of over 300,000 people will be at risk. Additionally, they warned that business owners who have invested hundreds of crores of taka will face significant losses. The business community has called on the previous Awami League government to reconsider this decision.
Mufizur Rahman, chief advisor of TOAC, said expressed hope that the current administration, keeping in mind the importance of tourism, would reconsider the issue. Hossainul Islam Bahadur, secretary general of the Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh, said that the ban on overnight stays and the limitation on tourist numbers were decisions made by the previous government. He urged the current government, which he called a “government of the people,” to take a fresh look at the issue and revoke the prior administration's decision. Following the protest, a memorandum was submitted to the District Commissioner. Later, a press conference was held at a hotel in Cox’s Bazar, where the TOAC and the St. Martin’s Island Environmental and Tourism Development Coalition presented 18 demands, including the reversal of all anti-tourism decisions made by the previous government.
