After nearly nine months of closure, the coral island of Saint Martin’s will reopen to tourists on Saturday (November 1).
However, as per the Ministry of Environment’s directive, tourists will only be allowed day trips—visiting and returning the same day.
Initially, two passenger ships—Karnaphuli Express and Bar-Awlia—were scheduled to operate from the BIWTA jetty at Nuniachhara, Cox’s Bazar, to Saint Martin’s Island. But ship owners have withdrawn from that plan.
Hossain Islam Bahadur, general secretary of the Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh, told reporters,
“The tourism board’s online ticketing software hasn’t been activated yet. Besides, with the day-trip restriction, we don’t expect enough passengers. So no ships will depart for Saint Martin’s from November 1. We’re preparing to resume operations in December and January, as we did last year.”
According to a gazette notification from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) cannot authorize any vessel to travel to Saint Martin’s without prior environmental approval.
Moreover, tourists are required to purchase tickets only through the official Bangladesh Tourism Board online portal. Each ticket must include a travel pass and a QR code—any ticket without a QR code will be considered counterfeit.
District administration officials said they will strictly enforce government guidelines for travelers bound for Saint Martin’s.
Executive magistrates will be deployed at the jetty to check QR-coded tickets and ensure tourists comply with 12 government directives during travel.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Mohammad Morshed
