Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) President Mohammad Rafiuzzaman has threatened a wider movement against any 'negative decision' on St Martin's Island ahead of the tourist season.
He said the government can work together with stakeholders in the tourism sector to protect both the environment and the tourism industry, considering the large contribution of the tourism sector to the economy.
The President of Toab said this in a press conference held at the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) auditorium on Saturday (October 19).
The press conference was organized by the St. Martin Environment and Tourism Unity Development Alliance to protest the government's recent move to limit tourists and stop overnight stays on the island.
Md. Rafiuzzaman said, every year from November to February, tourists can go to Saint Martin Island. This decision will disrupt the livelihood of thousands of people involved in the tourism sector in Cox's Bazar and Saint Martin.
He said that a comprehensive policy should be formulated for the island by allowing tourism activities as per the policy.
The St. Martin Environment and Porjatan Oikya Unyanya Jote made a 19-point demand to protect the tourism industry and the livelihoods of the island's residents.
There are 100 hotels and resorts in St. Martin and about one thousand crores of investment has been made with all kinds of permissions from the government institutions of Cox's Bazar.
Leaders of Tour Operators Association of Cox's Bazar, St. Martin Environment and Porjatan Oikya Unanya Jote, e-Tourism Association of Bangladesh (E-TAB), St. Martin Shop Owners Association, St. Martin Hotel Owners Association were present in the press conference.