Government tightens travel rules for Saint Martin’s Island with new restrictions

The government has introduced a set of new directives to regulate tourism on Saint Martin’s Island, imposing fresh restrictions on travel, ticketing, and overnight stays in an effort to protect the country’s only coral island and its fragile ecosystem.According to a circular issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Wednesday, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) will not permit any vessel to operate to or from Saint Martin’s Island without prior approval from the ministry.Tourists must now purchase tickets exclusively through the Bangladesh Tourism Board’s approved online portal, where each ticket will include a Travel Pass and a QR Code. Any ticket without a valid QR Code will be considered counterfeit, the circular said.The new guidelines also impose strict control over visiting schedules and the number of tourists allowed on the island. In November, tourists will only be allowed to visit during the day, with ...

• 22 Oct 2025