AF Hassan Ariff, advisor to the Ministry of Land and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, said government restrictions on tourism on the island of Saint-Martin are essential for the preservation of the coral island, stressing that the survival of the island must take priority over tourist and commercial concerns.

“It’s not just about tourism. The priority must be the survival of the island, then trade and everything else. We must accept this reality,” he said.

The advisor was answering questions from the media during the Asian International Trade Fair at the China Friendship Conference Center in Agargaon on Friday (November 22).

Many popular tourist destinations around the world regulate the number of visitors at a time, and as Bangladesh’s only coral island, St. Maarten requires similar measures to avoid further environmental damage, he added.

Earlier on October 22, the government imposed restrictions on the number of tourists visiting Saint Martin in order to protect its environment and biodiversity. From November to February, tourists will be allowed to visit during the day, but overnight stays will be prohibited in November. In December and January, the daily tourist limit will be capped at 2,000 people, and in February, no tourists will be allowed in during the island’s cleanup efforts.

However, the decision was opposed by the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB). Its president, Md Rafiuzzaman, criticized the restrictions, arguing that limiting overnight stays and tourist access would have a significant impact on the tourism industry, particularly harming small businesses and local entrepreneurs.

“It is the responsibility of service providers and tour operators to determine how many tourists the island can safely accommodate,” he said.

Ariff also addressed concerns over security in the country, saying domestic and international tourists could travel without fear.

“A lot of people have asked me about security issues in Bangladesh. I don’t think I need to answer that question,” he added, referring to the enthusiastic public participation at the show as a testimony to the security of the country.

Meanwhile, the Asian International Trade Fair, held outside the main building of the China Friendship Conference Center, continues to attract visitors. Running until November 23, the 17-day event showcases a variety of products including clothing, furniture, jewelry and kitchenware, with a notable presence of products imported from India and the Pakistan, reports our correspondent.

Despite the strong turnout on Friday, some attendees expressed concerns about low sales and high booth rents. “We have had good sales, but the rent for an 8×8 feet stall is TK80,000, leaving us with low profit margins,” said Sourav Hossain, a seller of Indian three-piece outfits.

While the fair attracted large crowds, some visitors were disappointed by the lack of locally produced items. “I was hoping to find products made by small local entrepreneurs, but most of the items here seem to be from the New Market and are just prepared for the fair,” said Anwarul Islam, a visitor.