Tourism stakeholders today called for strengthening St Martin's Island's environmental management capacity to accommodate more visitors sustainably, emphasising technological monitoring, stricter regulations and responsible tourism practices to protect the country's only coral-bearing island.

They made the call at a seminar titled "Tourism and the Environment on St Martin's Island: The Reality", held on the second day of the Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Fair (BTTF) 2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre (BCFCC) in Agargaon here.

Organised by the Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), the seminar stressed balancing environmental conservation with tourism growth, employment generation and local economic development.

Speakers said the government's decision to allow up to 3,500 tourists daily from November to March presented an opportunity to demonstrate how improved environmental management could support sustainable tourism.

Presenting the keynote paper, researcher Faruk Hasan said restrictions on tourist arrivals had adversely affected tourism businesses and local livelihoods despite the island's considerable economic potential.

He said several international island destinations, including those in the Maldives and Italy, had successfully developed tourism through strict environmental regulations, technological monitoring and responsible visitor management.

"We must protect the environment, but we must also ensure that environmental protection does not unnecessarily obstruct tourism development," he said.

Hasan recommended strict enforcement of environmental regulations, financial penalties for violations and mandatory written undertakings from tourists outlining permitted and prohibited activities.

He also stressed changing tourist behaviour, particularly regarding plastic pollution and improper waste disposal.

Addressing the seminar as chief guest, Department of Environment Additional Director General (Current Charge) Muhammad Solaiman Haider said protecting St Martin's biodiversity was essential for sustaining tourism.

"Without biodiversity, tourism on St Martin's cannot survive," he said.

Referring to research findings, Haider said the island's existing environmental and infrastructure capacity was considered insufficient to accommodate more than 1,000 visitors.

However, the government has permitted a maximum of 3,500 tourists daily during the upcoming tourism season.

He indicated that the visitor ceiling could be reconsidered if tourism operators successfully managed the permitted number without harming the island's environment.

"If tourism stakeholders can manage these 3,500 visitors effectively without harming the environment, increasing the number in the future could be considered," he said.

Haider stressed that environmental protection and tourism development must proceed together through effective regulations and responsible management.

Discussants recommended introducing artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and digital monitoring systems to regulate visitor numbers, communicate environmental guidelines and strengthen compliance.

They also called for improved sewage and waste management, effective utilisation of the island's waste-based power plant and measures to prevent vessels from discharging used engine oil into the sea.

The speakers emphasised recycling, tourist awareness, responsible behaviour and specialised training for tourism operators and local communities.

The seminar was chaired by TOAB First Vice President Md Moinul Islam and moderated by former TOAB President Shiblul Azam Qureshi.

Dhaka University professors Dr Kazi Matin Uddin Ahmed and Dr Santosh Kumar Deb, and Daffodil International University Associate Professor Dr Mahfuza Parveen were among the discussants.

Meanwhile, visitors continued exploring tourism products and services at the three-day BTTF, organised under the theme "AI Powered Tourism, Sustainable Destination".

Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines and Nepal are participating as partner countries, while US-Bangla Airlines is the title sponsor.

The 14th edition of the fair concludes on October 31, promoting sustainable tourism, technological innovation and international business cooperation.