Tour operators, businessmen demand lifting restrictions on travel to St Martin's | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
May 29, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2025
Tour operators, businessmen demand lifting restrictions on travel to St Martin's

Bangladesh

TBS Report
07 November, 2024, 08:45 pm
Last modified: 07 November, 2024, 08:45 pm

Related News

  • Thailand tourist traps to avoid
  • NBR plans to collect travel tax directly from outbound passengers
  • Through the arches of time: Saint Nicholas Church of Tolentino
  • Govt to create alternative livelihoods for tourism-dependent communities in St Martin's Island: Rizwana 
  • Thousands travelling on train before Eid, yet no sign of schedule breakdown, mismanagement

Tour operators, businessmen demand lifting restrictions on travel to St Martin's

TBS Report
07 November, 2024, 08:45 pm
Last modified: 07 November, 2024, 08:45 pm
Saint Martin's Island. File Photo: Rashed Kabir/Unplash
Saint Martin's Island. File Photo: Rashed Kabir/Unplash

Tour operators and businessmen have demanded lifting the recent government restrictions on travel to Saint Martin's Island.

Saint Martin's Island Environment and Tourism Protection and Development Alliance made the call during a press conference at the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) in the capital today (7 November).

Shiblul Azam Qureshi, chairman of the alliance, said, "Despite people from all sectors strongly  objecting to this, the government has taken this self-deprecating decision to ban travel to the island and limit overnight stays. As a result, thousands of people have already lost their jobs."

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Balancing tourism and conservation: St Martin faces tough choices

"About 10,000 local residents are worried about their livelihoods. There are financial crises. 

"Students are worried about their studies and future. Countless employees involved in the tourism business have lost their jobs. Entrepreneurs are on the brink as well," he said.

Qureshi also said that investments made by owners of hotels and resorts are under threat.

Earlier, the government announced that tourist access to Saint Martin's Island would be suspended in February to protect its fragile ecosystem and to carry out cleaning operations.

From November to January, tourists will be permitted on the island, but with certain restrictions.

Overnight stays will be prohibited in November, and during December and January, the daily limit will be capped at 2,000 visitors. Previously, tourists would visit the island from October to March, with up to 6,000 visitors per day during weekends.

Tour operators, businessmen demand withdrawal of restrictions on St Martin's

In this regard, Qureshi said, "We have already held various programmes to protest this decision by the government. But the government remains adamant.

He called for an immediate withdrawal from this decision.

Top News

St Martin's Island / tourism sector / Travel

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • US President Donald Trump speaks during a swearing-in ceremony of Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, US, May 6, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura/File Photo
    US court blocks most Trump tariffs, says president exceeded his authority
  • Infograph: TBS
    Businesses set for relief as interim govt eyes major tax & fine cuts
  • File photo of Bangladesh Secretariat. Photo: Collected
    Visitors banned from entering Secretariat on Mondays and Thursdays

MOST VIEWED

  • Google Pay. Photo: Collected
    Google Pay likely coming to Bangladesh soon
  • IFIC Bank receives Tk6,000 cr in new deposits in six months
    IFIC Bank receives Tk6,000 cr in new deposits in six months
  • Dhaka areas at a gridlock on Wednesday, 28 May 2025. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
    BNP, Jamaat rallies: Traffic clogs Dhaka roads, including Motijheel, Paltan, Dainik Bangla intersection
  • Abdul Awal Mintoo, chairman of National Bank Limited. Sketch: TBS
    'Regulatory support must for National Bank to restore depositors' confidence'
  • Mohammad Abdul Mannan, chairman FSIB Ltd. Sketch: TBS
    FSIB to bounce back soon
  • Mohammad Mamdudur Rashid, managing director and CEO, UCB. Sketch: TBS
    Customers’ trust and confidence fueling deposit growth at UCB

Related News

  • Thailand tourist traps to avoid
  • NBR plans to collect travel tax directly from outbound passengers
  • Through the arches of time: Saint Nicholas Church of Tolentino
  • Govt to create alternative livelihoods for tourism-dependent communities in St Martin's Island: Rizwana 
  • Thousands travelling on train before Eid, yet no sign of schedule breakdown, mismanagement

Features

In recent years, the Gor-e-Shaheed Eidgah has emerged as a strong contender for the crown of the biggest Eid congregation in the country, having hosted 600,000 worshippers in 2017. Photo: TBS

Gor-e-Shaheed Boro Maath: The heart of Dinajpur

2d | Panorama
The Hili Land Port, officially opened in 1997 but with trade roots stretching back to before Partition, has grown into a cornerstone of bilateral commerce.

Dhaka-Delhi tensions ripple across Hili’s markets and livelihoods

3d | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Desk goals: Affordable ways to elevate your study setup

3d | Brands
Built on a diamond-type frame, the Hornet 2.0 is agile but grounded. PHOTO: Asif Chowdhury

Honda Hornet 2.0: Same spirit, upgraded sting

3d | Wheels

More Videos from TBS

The fight between two brothers; Adidas vs Puma

The fight between two brothers; Adidas vs Puma

9h | Others
Trump is again keen to make Canada the 51st state

Trump is again keen to make Canada the 51st state

10h | Others
Trump's tariff strategy and Europe's investment politics, violence or negotiation?

Trump's tariff strategy and Europe's investment politics, violence or negotiation?

11h | Others
Rumours surrounding the Club World Cup: Which club will Ronaldo join?

Rumours surrounding the Club World Cup: Which club will Ronaldo join?

12h | Others
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net