Ban on tourism pushes Saint Martin’s economy to the brink

PARBATTANEWS DESK

The administrative ban on tourist travel to Bangladesh’s only coral island, Saint Martin’s, has dealt a heavy blow to the local economy, leaving thousands jobless and businesses shuttered. Locals and tourism operators have described the decision as “mysterious and detached from reality.”

Each winter, the tiny island—famous for its turquoise waters and coral reefs—welcomes around two to three lakh tourists, both local and foreign. About 90 percent of the island’s residents depend directly or indirectly on tourism-related activities—hotels, restaurants, boat services, fruit and handicraft sales. But with passenger ships suspended, livelihoods have come to a halt.

The Ministry of Environment, under the interim government, suddenly halted tourist movement midway through last year’s season, citing environmental concerns. Since then, the island’s economy has been in disarray. Although there were discussions about partially lifting the ban ahead of the November tourism season, that decision has reportedly been suspended again “for unknown reasons.”

“We wait all year for the tourist season,” said Abdul Gani, a resident of Saint Martin’s. “Now our hotels are empty, shops closed, and fishing has dropped sharply. It feels like darkness has descended on our lives.”

Businesses in Teknaf, the mainland gateway to the island, say the impact extends far beyond Saint Martin’s. Hundreds of boats, ships, guesthouses, transport services, and small shops have been forced to shut down, leaving thousands of workers without income.

Tourism stakeholders agree that protecting the island’s fragile ecosystem is essential. However, they argue that a blanket ban is not the solution. Instead, they call for planned, regulated tourism that balances environmental conservation with livelihoods and security.

Local representatives and civic groups suspect the decision may involve administrative complications, maritime boundary sensitivities, or vested interests. None of these have been clearly communicated to the public, they said.

“If the administration wanted, controlled tourism could have continued,” said a leader of a tourism business association. “But the sudden ban has pushed the entire region into economic crisis. It’s truly puzzling.”

Residents of Teknaf and Saint Martin’s have urged the government to withdraw the ban and restore normal tourist movement to revive the island’s economy.

Public opinion now centres on one urgent demand: a transparent explanation of the ban and a sustainable revival of tourism in Saint Martin’s—the lifeline of its people.