The government of Bangladesh plans to review current restrictions on tourism activities at Saint Martin's Island, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo announced on Monday. The review will consider the island's environmental preservation, visitor safety, and transportation logistics before any adjustments are made.

Minister Mintoo made the remarks while chairing an inter-ministerial meeting focused on managing tourism at the island, held at the Secretariat. The meeting brought together officials from various ministries, departments, tourism businesses, environmental groups, and local administrators. Some participants joined the discussion virtually.

State Minister for Environment Shaikh Faridul Islam emphasized the importance of regulating visitor access by requiring tourists to purchase tickets and travel passes containing QR codes through official web portals approved by the Bangladesh Tourism Board. He also advocated for strict adherence to environmental protection measures, including enforcement of bans on prohibited polythene and discouraging the use of single-use plastics. Tourists are being encouraged to bring reusable water containers to reduce plastic waste on the island.

The current restrictions, established by a government notification on October 22, 2025, set specific controls on visiting patterns. In November, tourists may only make day trips with no overnight stays allowed. December and January permit overnight visits but with a daily visitor limit of 2,000 people. Tourism is fully suspended in February each year to allow environmental recovery.

The government has stated that regulations intended to protect Saint Martin's Island’s biodiversity—such as its sea turtle populations, bird habitats, and coral ecosystems—will remain intact following the review. Officials said a final decision on any changes to the tourism controls will be announced after the assessment is complete.