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Operators urge relaxing ban on overnight tourist stays


Published : 18 Aug 2020 08:59 PM | Updated : 07 Sep 2020 10:24 PM

Tour operators on Tuesday demanded withdrawal of the ban on overnight stay at different tourist spots, including St. Martin's Island to revive the plummeting industry in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.

The call came at a press conference by the Tour Operators Association of Cox’s Bazar (TOAC) a day after the authorities in Cox’s Bazar permitted tourists to visit the sea town on a limited scale brining a hope to the local traders. “Restrictions on tourists’ movement or overnight stays will bring a disaster in tourism business,” TOAC President Tofail Ahmed told the briefing.

He said, currently, “7-8 ships, 200-300 bus and minibuses, 100 microbuses, 200 tour operators, 400 tourist guides and 120 hotel and cottages are involved in the tourism business in the St. Martin.

“About 300,000 people, including locals and small businesses, will lose their livelihoods if tourists stop visiting the St. Martin Island. Investors pouring some Tk 1500 crore on the island will face a new threat,” the TOAC president said warned.

Welcoming the government initiatives to stem the spread of coronavirus, the operators hoped that relaxing restriction on tourism activities on a limited scale would help them turn around.

On August 6, the local administration announced it would allow as many as 1,250 tourists to visit the coral island with none staying overnight.

The news has come as a surprise to the local tour operators and those involving in tourism business. During the pick of a tourism season, 4000 to 5000 people travel to the island while 30 percent stayed a night there.

Meanwhile, a ban on overnight tourist stays at Tanguar Haor and Tekerghat Shaheed Siraj Lake   remains in place with the government allowing tourists’ in Sunamganj a limited scale.

However, tourists were instructed to follow hygiene guidelines with a ‘No Masks- No Entry’ rule being imposed at all tourist destinations to minimize the risk of coronavirus infection.