Tourist travel to St Martin's Island will remain suspended for nine consecutive months starting tomorrow, Sunday, following the government's environmental protection measures that have left tourism-dependent residents facing severe livelihood insecurity.

Saturday marks the final day of the current season, with tourist vessels making their last trips to and from Bangladesh's only coral island. No tourist-carrying vessels will operate until further government instructions are issued.

Cox's Bazar Additional Deputy Commissioner Imran Hossain confirmed that ships will transport all tourists to and from St Martin's Island today. From tomorrow, no tourist vessels will receive operational permission. Necessary measures will be taken if the government decides to extend the season later.

Government shortened the traditional tourist season this year, allowing visitors only from November to January 31 instead of the usual October 1 to March 31 timeframe. Overnight stays by tourists on the island were also prohibited from November onwards.

Local residents report that approximately 2 thousand tourists per day traveled by ship from Cox's Bazar to St Martin's Island this season, totaling around 1 lakh 20 thousand visitors. Despite these numbers, tourism-dependent businesses earned minimal income.

MA Abdur Rahman, president of St Martin Hotel, Motel and Resort Owners' Association, said many people failed to pay dues on time. Most business owners suffered losses instead of making profits. "Such a crisis had never occurred on the island before. With tourists no longer arriving from tomorrow, people's hardships will begin," he said.

He added that if tourism resumes after elections, business owners may recover some losses.

St Martin Union Parishad Chairman Faizul Islam explained that almost everyone on the island connects to the tourism sector. Sudden travel suspension created widespread frustration among residents.

"If the season had been extended a little longer, it would have been easier to survive the next nine months," he told media.

Island rickshaw puller Nur Azim said tourist arrivals stopped from today. From tomorrow, he will return to fishing. He took a loan to buy a rickshaw but could not recover the cost even in two months. His biggest concern now centers on loan repayment.

Cottage owner Md Jahangir alleged that shipping authorities, some Dhaka-based investors and a hotel owner syndicate engaged in cut-throat business practices.

He claimed that government restrictions placed the greatest burden on local residents.

"With tourism closed for nine months, the islanders' hardship will increase further," Jahangir told media.

Local business owners said thousands of people directly and indirectly involve themselves in the tourism sector. Considering humanitarian grounds, they demanded St Martin's Island remain open to tourists for at least four more months or until February minimum.

Government directives maintain strict restrictions including prohibition of beach lighting at night, loud noise, barbecue parties, entry into keora forests and collection, sale or purchase of keora fruit. Harming any biodiversity including sea turtles, birds, corals, red crabs, shells or oysters remains forbidden.

All motorized vehicles including motorcycles and sea bikes face beach bans. Tourists receive instructions against carrying polythene or single-use plastic and advisories to bring reusable water flasks.