Tourism rush to St Martin’s leaves no vessel tickets available until mid-January

Tickets for vessels travelling to St Martin's Island have been sold out in advance until mid-January, amid strict government restrictions and a cap on the number of tourists allowed to visit the coral island.

Currently, six vessels are operating on the Cox's Bazar-St Martin's route, and tickets for all of them have already been booked until mid-January, ship owners said.

Taking advantage of the situation, a syndicate is purchasing tickets in advance using multiple national identity cards (NIDs) and reselling them at abnormally high prices, causing frustration among tourists.

Ship owners have also acknowledged the existence of such practices.

According to sources, tourist vessels resumed operations to St Martin's on 1 December and will continue until 31 January. Due to environmental protection measures, the government has limited the number of tourists to a maximum of 2,000 per day.

At present, around 3,000 to 3,500 people are seeking tickets daily, resulting in tickets being sold out weeks in advance, ship owners said.

Hossain Islam Bahadur, general secretary of the Sea Cruise Operators Owners' Association of Bangladesh, told The Business Standard that all vessel tickets have been sold out until mid-January.

"Tickets for MV Karnaphuli have been booked in advance until 17 January," he said.

He said in previous years 7,000 to 12,000 tourists visited St Martin's daily over a longer season. However, this year tourism has been limited to December and January, with only 2,000 visitors allowed per day.

"Despite the cap, demand remains very high. As a result, tickets have been sold out well ahead of time," he added.

Several tourists have complained that tickets are being sold on the black market at higher prices.

Bahadur said the administration is strictly monitoring ticket sales and tourist movement this season.

"NID verification and travel passes are mandatory, and officials regularly visit the site. There is no scope for open black marketing. However, a small group has been found collecting tickets in advance using multiple NIDs and selling them at higher prices. Some tourists cancel their trips after purchasing tickets and travel passes. As refunds involve deductions, brokers often buy these tickets and resell them at higher prices," he said.

On 22 October, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued a gazette with 12 directives to protect the island's unique ecosystem, environment and biodiversity.

According to the government decision, tourist access to the eight-square-kilometre coral island was suspended from 1 February this year. Tourists are allowed to visit the island only during November, December and January, subject to compliance with the 12 directives.

As per the notification, tourists can visit St Martin's only during the daytime in November. Overnight stays are allowed in December and January.

Other restrictions include mandatory online ticket purchases through a Bangladesh Tourism Board-approved web portal, with each ticket carrying a travel pass and QR code. Any ticket without a QR code will be considered invalid.

Additionally, only vessels approved by BIWTA and the ministry are allowed to operate on the route.

Tourist movement to St Martin's will remain completely closed from 1 February next year for nine months.

The directives also ban night-time lighting on beaches, loud noise, barbecues, motorised vehicles on the beach, and activities that harm corals, turtles, birds, crabs, shells and other marine life.

Tourists have been advised not to carry polythene or single-use plastic items, including plastic bottles, cutlery, straws and mini toiletry packs, and to bring reusable water flasks instead.