Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) President Mohammad Rafeuzzaman said, we want to protect the environment and biodiversity of St. Martin, but not by stopping tourism. Instead, it takes all the necessary steps in favor of the environment.
He said these words at a press conference organized by Saint Martin’s Island Environment and Tourism Protection and Development Alliance on Sunday (October 27) at the auditorium of the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) in Paltan, capital.
Local leaders including St Martin’s Island Environment and Tourism Protection and Development Alliance Chairman Shiblul Azam Qureshi, HR Group Chairman and Alliance Publicity Secretary Habibur Rahman and E-Tourism Association of Bangladesh (E-TAB) President Imranul Alam were present at the press conference.
Towab president. Rafeuzzaman said, despite our strong objections, the government has decided to limit overnight stays and tourist travel in Saint Martin. According to the government, no tourist can stay overnight in Saint Martin in November. And in December and January, 2,000 tourists can travel to Saint Martin during the day and stay overnight. And in February, the government will stop tourist travel in St. Martin. The tourism industry will be greatly affected and the common entrepreneurs will be left alone.
About 10,000 people live in Saint Martin. All of them are dependent on tourism. All of them will be out of a job if tourism is restricted or stopped in St. Martin. Along with that, financial investment of entrepreneurs will be at serious risk. As a result, he protested such decision of the government and demanded immediate withdrawal of this decision.
He also said that if tourists stop visiting and staying overnight in Saint Martin, there will be a strong movement on the road. We will not stop the movement until our demands are met.
Shiblul Azam Qureshi, Chairman of St. Martin’s Island Environment and Tourism Protection and Development Alliance, said in the press conference that St. Martin’s Island should maintain the balance of the environment and strictly stop the use of single-use plastic, continue tourism without any restrictions, including overnight stays, and create an alternative route to travel from Teknaf to St. Martin.
He claimed that tourism development should be ensured by dealing with the adverse effects of tourism and protecting the environment of Saint Martin island. A water treatment plant should be set up on the island to convert salt water into fresh water. Decomposable waste should be converted into biogas through treatment. The use of generators should be stopped on the island and environment-friendly solar plants should be installed and permanent structures should be controlled using bricks, sand, cement, rods.
Leaders of Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOWAB), Leaders of Tour Operators Association of Cox’s Bazar, Leaders of St. Martin’s Island Environment and Tourism Protection and Development Alliance, Leaders of E-Tourism Association of Bangladesh (E-TAB), Tour Leaders of Operators Association of Kuakata, Leaders of St. Martin Hotel Owners Association, Leaders of Tour Operators Association of St. Martin, Leaders of St. Martin Shop Owners Association, Leaders of Boat Owners Cooperative Association, Leaders of Fishermen Owners Association, Leaders of Bangladesh Sleeper AC Bus Owners Association, Ship Owners Association C-Cruise Leaders of Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh (SQUAB) were present.
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