St Martin’s to reopen to tourists from 1 Nov

The government will reopen St Martin’s Island to tourists from 1 November for a limited four-month period, Tourism Secretary Nasreen Jahan announced on Thursday.

Speaking at a press conference organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism to mark World Tourism Day, the secretary said the reopening is being coordinated with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to ensure the island’s ecological protection.

“St Martin’s is a UN heritage site, and we must prioritise the conservation of its unique environment, especially its coral reefs,” she said.

Under the plan, a maximum of 2,000 tourists will be allowed to visit the island per day. In the first two months, only day trips will be permitted. Overnight stays will be allowed starting in January.

A dedicated software system has been developed to regulate tourist flow, and integration with the shipping sector is currently underway, Nasreen Jahan added.

She highlighted the positive effects of the restrictions imposed over the past year, noting that the island is showing visible signs of coral regeneration. “St Martin is a national asset. We must preserve it for future generations,” she said.

To that end, a strict code of conduct has been introduced for all visitors. “If tourists follow the rules, especially in reducing plastic use and protecting the natural environment, authorities may consider extending access in future seasons,” the secretary said.

Tourism Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin added that the code of conduct will not apply solely to St Martin’s but will be enforced across all tourist destinations in Bangladesh. He also emphasised that the government’s goal is to make tourism family-friendly, affordable, safe, and more accessible for domestic travellers.

On the topic of foreign visitors, he said visa processes are not a major concern, but challenges remain in areas such as logistics and infrastructure.

When asked about recent tourism figures, Secretary Nasreen Jahan said that while precise data is unavailable, the Immigration Department has reported that more than 600,000 foreigners visited Bangladesh in 2024 for various reasons, including medical treatment and religious tourism.

She also noted that the government is working with the Bangladesh Tourism Board and the Bureau of Statistics to launch a Tourism Data Satellite System, which will help provide accurate, real-time data in the future.