1,554 tourists sail to Saint Martin on three ships on day two, anger over ticket prices

With administrative and environmental approval complications cleared, two more vessels joined the Cox's Bazar-Saint Martin route on the second day of sailings. On Friday morning (6 November), the MV Karnaphuli and the MV Teknaf set off for Saint Martin for the first time this season from the Nuniachhara BIWTA ghat in Cox's Bazar town.

The MV Baro Aulia, which carried tourists on the opening day on Thursday (5 November), returned the same night. On the second day, a total of 1,554 tourists headed to Saint Martin on the three ships: 619 on the MV Baro Aulia, 387 on the MV Karnaphuli and 548 on the MV Teknaf.

Hosain Islam Bahadur, general secretary of the Sea Cruise Operator Owners Association of Bangladesh (SCOAB), said the three approved ships will carry tourists regularly until 15 March next year.

The three ships have a combined passenger capacity of 2,300. As the government allows 3,500 tourists a day to travel to the island, the number of ships may increase in future depending on passenger pressure, he said.

Under a government decision, travel to Saint Martin was permitted from 1 November, but sailings began a few days after the scheduled time because of the administrative clearance and environmental condition processes.

Strict surveillance and security activity by the district administration, the BIWTA, tourist police, the coast guard and other law enforcement agencies was seen at the ghat.

Holidaymakers expressed delight at getting the chance to make the sea journey after a long wait and pledged to follow government rules to protect the environment. Many tourists, however, expressed anger and frustration over high ticket prices, and travellers from Dhaka and other parts of the country demanded a review of fares with ordinary people's affordability in mind.

Authorities have imposed a set of strict conditions and restrictions this time to protect Saint Martin's fragile ecosystem and marine biodiversity. Every tourist must pay a mandatory 100-taka environment conservation fee, and QR-coded tickets and travel passes have been made mandatory to confirm identity.

Lighting any kind of light on the beach at night, making loud noise and holding barbecue parties have been completely banned. Entering keya groves, collecting keya fruit, riding motorcycles or sea-bikes on the beach, and damaging coral, shells, starfish, sea turtles or seagrass are also strictly prohibited.

Environmental experts say issuing rules alone will not be enough; regular and strict monitoring of these rules must be ensured to maintain the island's balance.