Saint Martin Prepares to Welcome Tourists, but Dilapidated Jetty Pontoon Raises Safety Fears

After a long wait, Saint Martin, the country’s only coral island, opens to tourists from November 1. Ahead of the tourist season, hotels, resorts and restaurants on the island are being renovated, cleaned and decorated. Local traders and residents see fresh hope in the arrival of tourists. However, safety concerns remain over the dilapidated pontoon of the jetty used for tourist transport.

The decision on tourist movement to Saint Martin was taken at an inter-ministerial meeting of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on October 25. Under the decision, tourists can travel to the island from November 1 to March 15, 2027. A maximum of 3,500 tourists a day will be allowed, and an environment conservation fee of 100 taka per person will be collected.

The decision to resume tourism has raised expectations that economic activity on the island will regain momentum. At the same time, demands have been raised to repair the jetty pontoon for the safe boarding and disembarking of tourists and to take effective measures to protect the environment.

A large part of the income of Saint Martin’s people depends on the tourism business. For traders in hotels, resorts, restaurants, boat transport and other sectors, the tourist season is the most important time of the year. Long restrictions on tourist movement and limited overnight stays have put financial pressure on these businesses. Traders hope that pressure will ease somewhat if tourist arrivals increase in the new season.

Mohammad Taiyab Ullah, owner of Saint Martin Mermaid Resort, said: “My business has suffered a lot of damage because tourism activities were closed for a long time. It was even very difficult to get by day to day. I feel relieved to hear that ships will run from November 1.” Alamgir Akash said: “Business in Saint Martin lasts only two to three months a year. We have to live the whole year on the small income of that time. If everything goes well, this time we can hope to recover the losses and make some profit.”

Ahead of the tourist season, residential hotels, motels and restaurants on the island are being prepared. In some places old structures are being repaired, in others roofs and fences are being changed, and elsewhere cleaning and decoration work is under way. Traders are also applying to the upazila administration for permission to bring in workers for these jobs. According to upazila administration sources, tourism traders have submitted more than 300 applications this month, and permission is being given after verification. The island has more than 200 residential hotels, large and small.

While preparations to welcome tourists are under way, local residents and traders are worried about the condition of the pontoon where ships berth. They allege that rust has eaten through the pontoon, creating holes in various places. If it is not repaired before tourist ships start running, there may be a risk of accidents while passengers board and disembark. Island resident Shaker Alam said: “After a long time, tourist ships are going to start running from November 1. Although the jetty work is finished, the pontoon for berthing ships is in a dilapidated condition. So the pontoon needs to be repaired before the tourist season begins.”

Abdur Rahman, who is in charge of the Saint Martin Hotel Owners-Traders Association, said: “When tourists start arriving, business and trade on the island will come back to life. I hope this will also bring relief to local residents who depend on tourism.” Fayezul Islam, acting chairman of Saint Martin Union Parishad, said: “Repair and decoration work is going on in more than 200 hotels, motels and restaurants on the island. Ship services are likely to start next month. But to ensure the safety of tourists, the jetty pontoon must be repaired before that.”

Mohammad Saifuddin, assistant engineer of Cox’s Bazar Zila Parishad, said jetty construction work costing about seven crore taka is under way and is scheduled to be completed in December this year. “Although some work is still left, initiatives will be taken to finish the platform work before ship services start, so that tourists do not suffer,” he said, adding that allegations of irregularities in the jetty construction would also be looked into.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) SM Anik Chowdhury said: “Ahead of the tourist season, hotel, resort and restaurant traders are applying for permission to bring in workers. Decisions are being given after verification. Discussions have been held with traders to protect the island’s environment. Necessary preparations, including cleaning teams, are also being taken.” Various restrictions have been imposed on tourism operations in Saint Martin, giving importance to environmental protection and tourist safety. Earlier instructions provided for travel in approved vessels, online ticket collection, and the use of travel passes and QR codes.

Although preparations have begun on the island for the tourist season, the condition of the jetty pontoon has become important for ensuring safe tourist travel. On one side is the expectation of reviving local livelihoods and the tourism business; on the other, protecting the island’s fragile environment. The authorities concerned will have to meet the challenge of running the season while balancing the two.