Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
Today’s news that St. Maarten will host the 2015 Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) conference is most welcome. Visiting yachts have become important contributors to the local tourism economy, due in part to the annual Heineken Regatta, construction or expansion of various marinas and the widening of the drawbridge channel.
The last few years have seen some less-than-positive developments like losing the boat charter show, but overall the destination remains relatively strong in terms of its marine industry. Nevertheless, one can hardly deny increasingly stiff competition from others such as Antigua, Tortola and St. Barths.
The return of the CSA meet after the last two editions in Puerto Rico and Antigua is therefore all the more desirable. It confirms the island is still favoured among sailors and their organisations, which is obviously crucial for the future. People should not underestimate the favourable impact boating has on many types of businesses both around Simpson Bay Lagoon and elsewhere.
But this good news for the hospitality sector is overshadowed a bit by the recent revelation that the long-awaited St. Maarten Tourism Authority (STA) now will be established without the foundation that was supposed to manage it. The latter is being disbanded and replaced with a yet-to-be-appointed committee of which the criteria for membership are completely unclear up to this point.
In addition, apparently-outgoing Tourism Minister Claret Connor plans to have the STA up and running in 15 months’ time, which would be near the end of 2016. With all the expectations created for a more independent and professional approach to promotion and marketing, that timetable is actually quite disappointing.
In any case, further explanation regarding this issue is needed urgently. The Gumbs cabinet is reintroducing Government’s weekly press briefing effective today, so that would be the perfect occasion for such.
