Cox's Bazar, Jan. 31 -- Saint Martin's Island, the country's only coral island located in the north-eastern part of the Bay of Bengal, will remain closed to travellers for nine months from February 1 as part of a conservation measure.

As a result, tourists staying on the island are returning to their respective destinations on January 31 and February 1.

Although Saint Martin's was opened to tourists for three months from December to January, overnight stays were permitted for only two months. In addition, the daily number of tourists was capped at 2,000, and entry without prior registration was not allowed.

Due to these restrictions, the local tourism business has suffered significantly.

Delwar Hossain, a local tourism entrepreneur, s...