Restrictions on St Martin's necessary to preserve island, says adviser

AF Hassan Ariff, adviser of the Ministry of Land and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, has said the government's restrictions on tourism on St. Martin's Island are essential for the preservation of the coral island, emphasising that the island's survival must take priority over tourism and business concerns.

"It's not just about tourism. The priority must be the survival of the island, then business and then everything else. We must accept this reality", he said.   

The adviser was responding to questions from the media at the Asian International Trade Fair at the China Friendship Conference Centre in Agargaon on Friday (22 November).

Many popular tourist destinations worldwide regulate the number of visitors at a time, and as Bangladesh's only coral island, St. Martin requires similar measures to prevent further environmental damage, he added. 

Earlier on 22 October, the government-imposed restrictions on the number of tourists visiting St. Martin to protect its environment and biodiversity. From November to February, tourists will be allowed to visit during the day, but overnight stays will be prohibited in November. In December and January, the daily tourist limit will be capped at 2,000, and in February, no tourists will be allowed in during the island's clean-up efforts.

However, the decision has run into opposition from the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB). Its President, Md Rafiuzzaman, criticised the restrictions, arguing that limiting overnight stays and tourist access would significantly impact the tourism industry, particularly harming small businesses and local entrepreneurs.

"It's the responsibility of service providers and tour operators to determine how many tourists the island can safely accommodate," he said.

Ariff also addressed concerns about safety in the country, stating that domestic and international tourists could travel without fear.

"Many people have asked me about security concerns in Bangladesh. I don't think I need to answer that," he added, referring to the enthusiastic public participation at the trade fair as a testament to the country's safety.

Meanwhile, the Asian International Trade Fair, being held outside the main building of the China Friendship Conference Centre, continues to attract visitors. Running until 23 November, the 17-day event showcases a variety of products, including clothing, furniture, jewellery and kitchenware, with a notable presence of imported goods from India and Pakistan, reports our correspondent.

Despite the high turnout on Friday, some participants expressed concerns about low sales and high stall rents. "We've had good sales, but the rent for an 8x8-foot stall is TK80,000, leaving us with slim profit margins," said Sourav Hossain, a vendor selling Indian three-piece outfits.

While the fair attracted large crowds, some visitors were disappointed by the lack of locally produced items. "I was hoping to find products made by small local entrepreneurs, but most of the items here seem to come from New Market and are just arranged for the fair," said Anwarul Islam, a visitor.