A human chain was formed and a memorandum submitted to the Chief Adviser, protesting the proposal to ban overnight stays and restrict travel to Saint Martin's Island.
The event, held in front of the National Press Club on Thursday, was organised by the Saint Martin's Island Environment and Tourism Protection and Development Alliance.
Thirteen organisations, including the Tour Operators Association of Cox's Bazar, the Hotel Owners Association of Saint Martin, and the Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh, along with tourism professionals, business representatives, and students, participated.
Speakers criticised the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change's announcement to enforce a policy made by a previous government, saying, "Tourism should continue with overnight stays on Saint Martin's. If not, it will be a disaster for the nation." Shiblul Azam Qureshi, Chairman of the Alliance, stressed that they support environmental protection but oppose harmful restrictions.
Abul Kalam Azad, acting president of the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh, urged the government to allow overnight stays for up to two nights, citing similar practices on other islands globally. The speakers presented 18 demands, including cancelling anti-tourism decisions, making the island plastic-free, and improving infrastructure. The memorandum was submitted at the end of the protest.
