Tourist vessel operations to St Martin’s Island will not commence on 1 November as scheduled due to delays in completing official procedures and obtaining departmental approvals.
However, a website managed by the Bangladesh Tourism Board will open on 1 November for registering tourists intending to visit the island.
According to vessel owners, completing all necessary administrative formalities and official processes may take until 3 to 4 November.
Barrister Mutasim Billah Faruqui, chief executive officer of the Bangladesh Tourism Board, said approval for vessel operations was granted based on assurances from tourism industry stakeholders to implement government-issued conditions aimed at ensuring environmental and ecological conservation alongside tourist safety.
Officials disclosed the information to journalists on Thursday afternoon following an exchange meeting held at the Shahid ATM Jafor Alam Conference Room of the Cox’s Bazar District Commissioner’s Office.
The district administration organised the meeting to ensure tourism management and overall security following recent fire incidents at Tuptup Resort in Patuartek, Ukhiya, and The Sea Princess Hotel at Sugandha Point in Cox’s Bazar.
Speaking after the meeting, Faruqui noted that relevant authorities, including Tourism Board, remain active to ensure there is no violation of the government’s conditions regarding visits to St Martin’s Island.
He added that the meeting was held to create awareness among tourism stakeholders to protect tourist safety alongside preserving the environment and ecology.
Meanwhile, Hosainul Islam Bahadur, general secretary of the Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh (SCOAB), confirmed that although the island is set to open to tourists on 1 November following a prolonged closure, vessel operations cannot begin on that day.
He added that the Department of Shipping and other relevant agencies have already approved three vessels for the current season on the St Martin’s route, while applications seeking approval for seven additional vessels have been submitted.
He assured that the three approved vessels are kept completely ready for operation.
SCOAB general secretary mentioned that from this year, the government has made obtaining environmental clearance from the Department of Environment mandatory for operating vessels on the St Martin’s route.
Although the three approved ships received clearance from the Department of Environment on Thursday, ancillary official procedures remain pending.
He added that completing these remaining procedures may take until 3 to 4 November, making it impossible to operate tourist vessels to St Martin’s Island on 1 November.
The meeting was presided over by Additional District Magistrate of Cox’s Bazar Tasneem Jahan.
Police Superintendent of Tourist Police Cox’s Bazar Office Nishat Anjela, Additional Police Superintendent (Traffic) Debdoot Majumder, senior officials of the Bangladesh Tourism Board, as well as representatives from the administration, tourism-related organisations, and various institutions were also present.
