The number of tourists to the island of St. Martin has halved due to increasing fighting in Myanmar. The district administration had indefinitely suspended the movement of ships on the Teknaf-Saint Martin route on February 10 due to security reasons. However, two sea routes from St. Martin Island to Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram are still open. However, the number of tourists has gradually declined as gunfire from the other side of the border has become more intense over the past three days.
Abu Ahmed, an expatriate businessman, traveled from Chattogram to Cox’s Bazar to visit St. Martin’s Island.
Speaking to Prothom Alo, he said he had canceled his trip to St. Martin because gunfire was being heard from the Myanmar side.
Saint Martin Union Council sources said the island has about 10,500 permanent residents. Of these, approximately 3,000 are employees of various hotels and resorts. There are more than 240 hotels, motels, cottages, resorts and restaurants in St. Martin. Residents of the area are also involved in various tourism-related businesses. They are also in financial crisis due to the situation on the border.
