Travel restrictions on St. Maarten: TOAB warns of strong action to protect industry

Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB) president Mohammad Rafuzzaman has warned that they will continue to push harder to save the industry if they stop tourists visiting and staying overnight in St Maarten.

He said this at a press conference organized by the St Martin’s Environment, Tourism and Development Alliance at the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) auditorium in the capital today (October 27).

The press conference was addressed by local St. Maarten leaders including Alliance Chairman Shiblul Azam Qureshi, HR Group Chairman and Alliance Public Relations Secretary Habibur Rahman and E-Tourism Association of Bangladesh (E-TAB) President Imranul Alam.

TOAB President Rafeuzzaman said: “Despite our strong objections, the government has decided to limit overnight stays and tourist travel to St. Maarten. According to the government, no tourists can spend the night in St. Maarten in November. In December and January, only 2,000 tourists can travel to Saint Martin and spend the night.”

And in February, the government will stop tourist trips to Saint Martin. He noted that the tourism industry will suffer greatly and entrepreneurs in the sector will be destroyed due to the stoppage of such seasonal businesses.

“There are about 10,000 people living in Saint Martin. They all depend on tourism. They will all be out of work if tourism in St. Maarten is limited or stopped. At the same time, the financial investments of entrepreneurs will be at serious risk.” “Said TOAB President Rafeuzzaman.

He protested this government decision and demanded the immediate reversal of this decision.

Shiblul Azam Qureshi demanded at a press conference to maintain environmental balance in St. Martin, strictly stop the use of single-use plastic and continue tourism without any restrictions, including overnight stays, and create an alternative route for travel from Teknaf to St. Maarten

“We want to protect the environment and biodiversity of St. Maarten, but without stopping tourism. Instead, we are taking all necessary steps to benefit the environment,” he added.

He also demanded that tourism development be ensured by eliminating the negative impacts of tourism and preserving the environment of St. Maarten. There are plans to build a water treatment plant on the island that will turn salt water into fresh water. Degradable waste should be converted into biogas through treatment.

The island needs to stop using generators, install environmentally friendly solar power plants and control permanent structures using bricks, sand, cement and rods, he said.

Leaders of TOAB, Cox’s Bazar Tour Operators Association, Environment Protection and Development Alliance, St. Martin’s Tourism, E-Tourism Association of Bangladesh (E-TAB), Kuakata Tour Operators Association, St. Martin’s Hotel Owners Association, Tour Operators Association representatives of St. Martin’s, St. Martin’s Shop Owners’ Association, St. Martin’s Boat Owners’ Co-operative Association, Fishermen’s Owners’ Association, leaders of Bangladesh AC Sleeper Bus Owners’ Association, Ship Owners’ Association, leaders of Marine Cruise Operators’ Association of Bangladesh (SQUAB).