The tourism season is gradually gaining momentum on Saint Martin’s Island, with 1,754 tourists travelling from Cox’s Bazar to the island on Friday — the highest single-day number since vessel services resumed on November 5.
Tourism businesses expect a surge in tourist arrivals in December and January, while hotel and resort owners said almost all accommodation facilities on the island have already received advance bookings for December.
Four vessels left Nuniachhara Ghat in Cox’s Bazar for Saint Martin’s on Friday morning. MV Malancha also began its first passenger trip to the island that day.
The vessels reached the island around noon, stayed for about one to one and a half hours and left for Cox’s Bazar in the afternoon, returning at night.
A total of 593 tourists travelled on the 850-seat MV Baro Awlia. Another 500 travelled on the 732-seat Karnaphuli Express, while 419 travelled on MV Teknaf, which also has a capacity of 732. MV Malancha, with a capacity of 600, carried 242 tourists.
Another vessel, MV Keari Sindbad, with 346 seats, has joined the fleet but has yet to begin carrying passengers. Although authorities have permitted up to 3,500 tourists to visit the island daily, the five approved vessels’ combined capacity currently stands at 3,244.
Abdus Sattar Joy, director of MV Malancha, said the vessel began carrying passengers after completing preparations and securing the necessary approvals. The service will continue until the end of the tourism season, he said.
Tourism-related businesses expect tourist numbers to increase sharply in December and January.
Hossain Islam Bahadur, general secretary of the Sea-Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh, said a moderate number of tourists are travelling to Saint Martin’s on Fridays and Saturdays this month.
“Based on advance bookings, we expect the daily quota to be filled throughout next month,” he said, adding that five vessels have received permission to operate. Four travelled on Friday, while the remaining vessel is expected to begin regular passenger services soon.
MA Rahim Jihadi, president of the Saint Martin’s Hotel Resort Owners Association, said about 5,000 tourists can stay on the island overnight at a time.
“Although the season has just begun and tourist numbers are still low, almost all hotels and resorts have already received advance bookings for December,” he said.
Some tourists expressed frustration over the long journey and vessel fares, while others said they were excited to experience the country’s southernmost detached island.
Saidul Haque, from Kalkini in Madaripur, said he was visiting Saint Martin’s with his family for the first time.
“The island is very beautiful, and I have seen it in videos. The sea journey itself feels exciting,” he said.
Tourist Osman Ali from Sirajganj said the six- to seven-hour sea journey was tiring, but he was still travelling to enjoy his holiday.
Previously, tourists could travel to Saint Martin’s from Teknaf and return on the same day, but that is no longer possible, he said, adding that vessel fares were also relatively high.
Several restrictions are now mandatory for tourists this season. Each tourist must pay a Tk100 environmental conservation fee and obtain a travel pass and a QR-coded ticket.
The measures aim to control tourist numbers, maintain records of tourists’ identities and movements, and strengthen environmental conservation efforts.
Several restrictions also remain in place to protect the island’s fragile environment and biodiversity. Night lighting on the beach and in surrounding areas, loud noise, and barbecue parties are prohibited.
Entering the keya forest and collecting or selling keya fruit are also prohibited.
Motorcycles, sea bikes and all other vehicles are banned from operating on the beach. Tourists are also prohibited from harming any natural resources or biodiversity on the island, including marine turtles, birds, corals, snails, shells, starfish, king crabs, seagrass and algae.
Under government guidelines, tourists may travel to Saint Martin’s from November 1 to March 15 next year, including overnight stays.
By Tarekur Rahman
Photo: Tarekur Rahman
