Tourism at Saint Martin's Island in Teknaf upazila of Cox's Bazar comes to a halt from today as the government's ban on tourist travel takes effect.

The island will remain closed to visitors until November when the next tourism season begins.

Despite repeated appeals from islanders to extend the season until the end of February, the government did not respond to their requests.

Authorities had announced in October last year that all tourist travel to St Martin's would be prohibited from February to October to protect the island's ecosystem.

Photo: Asifur Rahman/Star

Tourism had already been restricted to November, December, and January under directives from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.

Previously, tourist vessels operated from October to March, but the revised schedule has caused financial strain on local residents who depend on tourism for their livelihoods.

Hossain Islam Bahadur, general secretary of the Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh, confirmed that the six ships ferrying tourists were returning from the island today.

"No tourist vessels will operate from tomorrow [today]," he told The Daily Star this evening.

He added that a writ petition regarding tourism on the island is scheduled for a hearing on February 4.

"We are waiting for the court's decision," he said, urging the government to reconsider the ban and allow tourism to continue in February.

Imran Hossain Sajib, additional district magistrate of Cox's Bazar, confirmed that no tourist ships would be allowed to operate from today as per the government's directive.

"We have not received any further instructions regarding tourism on St Martin's," he said.

Taiub Ullah, owner of Mermaid Resort, St Martin's said the restriction would cause severe financial hardship for businesses on the island.

Tourist services had resumed on December 1, with six vessels operating from the BIWTA jetty at Nuniachhara in Cox's Bazar.

Previous restrictions banned overnight stays in November and limited them to 2,000 tourists per night in December and January. The new measures now impose a complete tourism ban from February onward.

With the ban now in effect, residents and business owners remain hopeful for a reconsideration of the decision, as they await the outcome of the court hearing on February 4.