St Martin’s Island. Credit: Shutterstock, Thinker360
Tourism to St Martin’s, Bangladesh’s only coral island, has been officially suspended for nine months, with restrictions in place from February 1 to November 2025.
The ban, enforced by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, aims to protect the island’s fragile ecosystem amid growing environmental concerns.
Tourism rules in St Martin’s leads to a full travel ban
Initially, overnight stays were prohibited in November, while December and January saw a 2,000-tourist daily cap. Now, with February’s full travel ban, authorities hope to restore biodiversity.
Previously, St Martin’s tourist season spanned October to March, but the revised schedule has reduced this to just November to January, significantly cutting economic opportunities for locals dependent on the tourism industry.
The ban has sparked concern among business owners, hoteliers, and tour operators, many of whom rely on the seasonal influx of visitors.
A writ petition regarding the tourism ban is set for a court hearing on February 4, with many hoping for a government review.
St Martin’s tourism ban detrimental to island’s economy
The ban reflects a broader push for sustainable tourism but raises questions about balancing conservation efforts with economic survival.
St Martin’s has long struggled with overcrowding, littering, and coral reef degradation, prompting repeated calls for stricter environmental protections.
As residents await the court’s decision, the future of tourism within St Martin’s remains uncertain. If the ban holds, the island’s economy could face significant long-term consequences.
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