Why Does a 95-Kilometer Trip From Cox’s Bazar to Saint Martin’s Cost 4,200 Taka, While a 141-Kilometer Journey From Dhaka to Barisal Costs Just 400?

❐ Special Correspondent

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The distance from Dhaka to Barisal is about 141 kilometers. The fare for taking a launch on this route is about 400 taka. However, although the distance from Cox’s Bazar to St. Martin’s is about 95 kilometers, tourists have to pay a round-trip fare of 3,600 to 4,200 taka. Tourists and travel enthusiasts have raised questions about this large difference in fare compared to the distance.

They complain that the cost of resort rooms and meals, along with the ship’s fare, is making the trip even more expensive.

Tourists and small entrepreneurs and tour operators involved in the tourism sector have alleged that a special syndicate in this sector is holding the entire tourism sector hostage.

Cox’s Bazar District Administration’s Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Md. Mahmudur Rahman Sayem announced that a meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 28, at 3 pm to discuss the fare of the ship bound for St. Martins and various tourism-related issues.

He said that a meeting will be held on these issues at 3 pm today. Details will be announced after the discussion.

Tourists say that the cost of traveling to St. Martins via Cox’s Bazar has increased after the suspension of ship traffic from Teknaf. With limited time available to travel to the island during the tourist season, the cost of transportation, accommodation, and food is making it difficult for many to travel.

Comparison with launch fare

According to information provided by travel enthusiasts, the distance from Dhaka to Barisal is about 141 kilometers; the fare to go by launch is about 400 taka. On the other hand, although the distance from Cox’s Bazar to St. Martin’s is about 95 kilometers, the round-trip ship fare is 3,600 to 4,200 taka, they said.

They have raised the question of why they have to pay such high fares for a relatively short sea voyage. Although there may be differences in the type of ship, operating costs, and service, tourists have demanded transparency in determining fares.

Complaints also about resort and food prices

Tourists’ complaints are not just about the ferry fare; they also have objections to the room rates and restaurant food prices at the St. Martins resort.

They claim that when demand increases during the tourist season, some organizations charge extra. As a result, many fear that the cost per person for a one-night, two-day trip could be at least 15,000 taka. However, the actual cost depends on transportation, accommodation, food, and personal preferences.

Tourists have demanded that the price list for ship tickets, resort rooms, and meals be monitored to keep travel to this one of the country’s most attractive islands affordable for the common people.

They also called for an investigation and necessary action to be taken if there are allegations of excessive rent or price charging.

Comparison with international tourist destinations

When talking about the cost of traveling to St. Martin’s, travel enthusiasts gave the example of traveling from Bali, Indonesia, to the island of Nusa Penida.

They claim that the cost of traveling by high-speed boat on that route is relatively low. However, the types of vessels, operating costs, and quality of service in the two countries are not the same. Therefore, it is necessary to verify reliable fare information for an accurate comparison.

Tourists fear that high travel and accommodation costs could reduce people’s interest in the country’s tourist destinations, which could also harm the local tourism business.

A look at the meeting’s decisions

There have been demands to implement government regulations to protect the environment and biodiversity of St. Martins, as well as to ensure the travel costs and quality of services for tourists.

Tourists want effective monitoring by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, the District Administration, and the Department of Consumer Rights Protection in this regard.