The Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB)organized a press conference on Thursday (October 24, 2024) protested against the government’s decision on St. Martin, lifting the ban on travel to hilly areas, withdrawing VAT on tour operator services and canceling the security deposit and removing various inconsistencies in the rules of the Tour Operator and Tour Guide Act at the Abdus Salam Hall of the National Press Club in Dhaka.
TOAB President Md. Rafeuzzaman said, despite our strong objections, the government has decided to limit overnight stays and tourist travel in St. Martin. According to the government, no tourists can spend the night in Saint Martin in November. And in December and January, a maximum of two thousand tourists can travel to St. Martin and stay overnight. And in February, the government will stop tourist traffic in St. Martin for cleaning.
Due to this, the tourism industry will suffer a lot and the common entrepreneurs will be left alone. About 10,000 people live in Saint Martin. All of them depend on tourism. If tourism stops in St. Martin, they will all be out of a job. Along with that, the financial investment of entrepreneurs will now be at risk. Not only this, tourism is also suffering due to travel restrictions in the hilly areas and entrepreneurs are suffering a lot.
Also the new gazette regarding registration of tour operators has mentioned some terms and conditions which are very difficult for us to comply with. The tourism industry will suffer if the restrictions and policies mentioned in the gazette are implemented.
According to the rules, the registration certificate fee of Tk 50,000.00 (fifty thousand), Tk 10,00,000.00 (ten lakh) bank status certificate and 3,00, 000.00 (Three Lakhs) is required to provide security deposit which is not feasible for tour operators. This will discourage new entrepreneurs to advance the tourism industry of Bangladesh in the near future.
He also demanded the abolition of tax on the services of tour operators for the sake of the booming tourism industry. Because 15% tax on tour operator services is increasing the package price and travel cost. As a result, the entire tourism industry, especially the inbound and outbound tourism, will be severely affected. As the tourism industry is a vast and multi-sector one, the imposition of tariffs may hinder the development of a thriving tourism industry in Bangladesh.
In the press conference, TOAB asked St. Martin to maintain the balance of the environment and strictly stop the use of single-use plastic, continue tourism without any restrictions, including overnight stays, create alternative routes to travel from Teknaf to St. Martin, tour operator and tour guide (registration and management) license. And reduction of renewal fee and bank status and cancellation of security deposit, withdrawal of tax on tour operator services, operation of tourist boats in Sundarbans throughout the year, withdrawal of ban on travel to hilly areas and ease of obtaining permits for tourists etc.
Shiblul Azam Qureshi, former President of TOAB and Chairman of Saint Martin Island Environment and Tourism Protection Committee, said that sustainable tourism development must be ensured by protecting the environment and biodiversity and dealing with the adverse effects of tourism. He has set up a water treatment plant to convert sea water into fresh water in St. Martin, biogas conversion through decomposable waste treatment, installation of eco-friendly solar plant by eliminating the use of generators, permanent construction control using brick-sand-cement-rod etc. recommended.
Directors of Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), Founding President of Tourism Resort Industries Association of Bangladesh (TRIAB), Leaders of Tour Operators Association of Cox’s Bazar, Leaders of St. Martin Island Environment and Tourism Protection and Development Alliance, Leaders of St. Martin Shop Owners Association, St. Martin Leaders of Hotel Owners Association, Leaders of Boat Owners Cooperative Association, Leaders of Fishermen Owners Association, Leaders of Bangladesh Sleeper AC Bus Owners Association, Leaders of Ship Owners Association Sea Cruise Operators Owners Association of Bangladesh (SQUAB) and journalists from print and electronic media were present.
Later, the Honorable President of Towab answered various questions from the journalists.
