Despite plans for tourist ships to operate service between Cox’s Bazar and Saint Martin’s Island from tomorrow (28 November), the trip has been postponed due to a lack of passengers.
Confirming the matter today (27 November), authorities associated with the ship services announced the ship services to Saint Martin’s Island will begin on 1 December.
However, as per the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s decision, the ban on travel and overnight stays for more than 2,000 tourists will remain in effect.
“We had planned to start the ship service from the Nunyarchara jetty in Cox’s Bazar’ Banshkhali tomorrow,” Nur Mohammad, manager of the Keari Sindbad ship, which has been granted permission to operate on the route, told The Business Standard.
“The Keari Sindbad ship has a capacity of 350 passengers. However, even by this evening, we had not received enough bookings from passengers wanting to travel to the Island. Due to a shortage of passengers, we have decided to postpone the trip tomorrow,” he added.
He attributed the low number of passengers to the ban on overnight stays in November, saying, “Since there is no ban on overnight stays in the Island in December, we expect a higher number of tourists.
Therefore, we have decided to start the ferry service from the beginning of December, he said.
On 19 November, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change formed a six-member committee to regulate tourism in Saint Martin’s Island and determine the departure point for ships to the Island.
The committee is headed by the UNO of Cox’s Bazar Sadar and Teknaf.
Earlier on 22 October, the environment ministry decided to impose restrictions on travel to St Martin’s. The ministry subsequently issued a circular on 28 October.
The government imposed a ban on overnight stays in November and February. Tourists will only be permitted to stay overnight at the island in December and January.
Typically, the island’s tourism season begins in late October, but this year, even by the end of November, the usual influx of tourists has yet to kick off due to the restrictions.
