The Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association, an organization of ship-owners operating on St. Martin's Island, has warned of widespread damage to the tourism industry in Cox's Bazar if tourists are restricted and a tourist registration system is introduced on St. Martin's Island. In a press conference held at a hotel in Cox's Bazar on Wednesday afternoon, it was informed that in the name of environmental protection, the Ministry of Environment and Forests has decided to introduce a registration system for only 900 tourists and tourists per day on St. Martin's Island during the upcoming tourist season. If this decision is implemented, it will have a serious impact on the tourism industry in Cox's Bazar. 10,000 residents of St. Martin's Island will be unemployed.
In a written statement at the press conference, it was further said that the lives of about 5 lakh people of the country have become dependent on livelihood. Especially Cox's Bazar
Besides, Teknaf, Cox's Bazar as a backward linkage around the tourism of the island St. Martin is one of the attractions in the tour plan of the tourists visiting the beach. It is surrounded by tourist boats, hotel-motel services as well as a large number of young people have been employed in tour guide services.
But in any case, if the issue of restricting and registering tourists is implemented, then the people who are thirsty for travel in the country go abroad and spend the money earned in other countries.
President of Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh Tofail Ahmed, Secretary Hossain Islam Bahadur, President of Tour Operators Association Anwar Kamal, Secretary of St. Martin's Hotel Motel Owners Association Abdur Rahim and others spoke at the press conference.