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Tourism organisations host taxi driver workshop

COLE BAY--The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau and Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) jointly launched a week-long training programme called “The successful taxi driver workshop” on Monday at the Carl & Sons conference facilities in Cole Bay.

Some 22 taxi drivers were present for the start of the workshop, and will have to attend every eight-hour-daily course up to Friday in order to successfully complete the workshop.

The workshop provided is targeted to the workers because of their close and frequent contact with tourists, and their position to form a first impression Read more

>PHILIPSBURG – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor, endorses the upcoming Rotaract District 7020 Conference 2015 which will be taking place here under the banner, "Helping Hands, Touching Hearts, Changing Lives."

Rotaract is a service club for young men and women ages 18 to 30 who are dedicated to community and international service Read more

Minister Connor To Be A Presenter At Rotaract District 7020 Conference 2015

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor, endorses the upcoming Rotaract District 7020 Conference 2015 which will be taking place here under the banner, "Helping Hands, Touching Hearts, Changing Lives."

Rotaract is a service club for young men and women ages 18 to 30 who are dedicated to community and international service Read more

Minister Connor Presents School Garden Pumpkin To I-Can Foster Home

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor, recently presented the I-CAN Foster Home a pumpkin that he received from the school garden at the Seventh Day Adventist School that he visited last week.

"I would like to thank the Seventh Day Adventist School for the donation of the pumpkin grown in their school garden.

I am happy to have been able to present to I-CAN Foundation the pumpkin for their supper Read more

Minister TEATT visits Seventh Day Adventist School Garden – Promoting Lifelong Healthy Eating Habits

>PHILIPSBURG:----   Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor earlier in the week visited the school garden of the Seventh Day Adventist School in Cole Bay. Minister Connor, was very impressed with what the elementary school children along with their teachers have been able to achieve, and pointed out that school gardens help promote lifelong healthy eating habits.

The school garden is part of the community school and teaching kids how to grow vegetables and fruits is part of the curriculum.

In general school gardens are cultivation areas or so-called 'school laboratories.' The aforementioned provides agricultural knowledge and skills, and makes the teaching of Science and Environmental Education more relevant and effective.

It also may benefit pupils, as the future food producers and provide some nutritional support to them.

These gardens mainly produce vegetables and fruits, and some may include small-scale animal husbandry and fishery, beekeeping, ornamental plants, and shading, and small scale staple food production.

"School gardens are gaining prominence in all parts of the world according to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization Read more

Minister of Telecommunications Connor Congratulates all working in Telecom and ICT sectors in WTISD Message

>PHILIPSBURG:----  Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor on Sunday, 17th of May congratulated via a press statement all telecommunication sector workers on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD), which is being internationally observed today.

The theme for WTISD is "Telecommunications and ICTs: Drivers of innovation." 17th of May has been identified as a day to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) can bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide.

"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all telecommunication workers as well as all those working in ICT in this WTISD message Read more

Minister Of Telecommunications Connor Congratulates All Working In Telecom And Ict Sectors In Wtisd Message

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor on Sunday, 17th of May congratulated via a press statement all telecommunication sector workers on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD), which is being internationally observed today.

The theme for WTISD is "Telecommunications and ICTs: Drivers of innovation." 17th of May has been identified as a day to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the internet and other information and communication technologies (ICT) can bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide.

"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all telecommunication workers as well as all those working in ICT in this WTISD message Read more

Minister Teatt Visits Seventh Day Adventist School Garden – Promoting Lifelong Healthy Eating Habits

PHILIPSBURG,St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor earlier in the week visited the school garden of the Seventh Day Adventist School in Cole Bay.

Minister Connor, was very impressed with what the elementary school children along with their teachers have been able to achieve, and pointed out that school gardens help promote lifelong healthy eating habits.

The school garden is part of the community school and teaching kids how to grow vegetables and fruits is part of the curriculum.

In general school gardens are cultivation areas or so-called 'school laboratories.' The aforementioned provides agricultural knowledge and skills, and makes the teaching of Science and Environmental Education more relevant and effective.

It also may benefit pupils, as the future food producers and provide some nutritional support to them.

These gardens mainly produce vegetables and fruits, and some may include small-scale animal husbandry and fishery, beekeeping, ornamental plants, and shading, and small scale staple food production.

"School gardens are gaining prominence in all parts of the world according to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization Read more

Minister Teatt Connor Officially Opens Smart 2015

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor officially opened the 14th Edition of St. Maarten/St. Martin Annual Regional Trade Show (SMART) 2015 on Wednesday at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino.

SMART is a three day event bringing together tourism stakeholders such as Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Travel Writers, and Event Planners to support, interact and promote tourism to the Eastern Caribbean.

International stakeholders come from as far as the United States of America, Canada, Europe, and Latin America.

During the Ministers address to SMART attendees, he pointed out the successes of 2014: a record two million plus cruise passengers; stay-over tourism visitors' increase of 10 per cent compared to 2013; overall hotel occupancy averaged upwards of 80 per cent; Port St Read more

SMART hosts 14th annual tradeshow

MAHO--The on-going fourteenth St. Martin/St. Maarten Annual Regional Tradeshow (SMART), dubbed the most important tradeshow of the Northeastern Caribbean, hosted its main day of activities at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino yesterday, May 14.

Although attendance was not as high as the 2014 event, which boasted one of the best turnouts in years, even participants who did not make any new connections pointed to the importance and usefulness of the annual event that targets local, regional and international tourism stakeholders.

However, noticeable was the lack of participants from South America that had been a major characteristic in 2014, and the non-presence of some regional islands Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  Hon. Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs led a delegation to Anguilla on Monday to attend the 1st Meeting of the First Session of the 11th Anguilla House of Assembly on Monday afternoon at the Atlin Noraldo Harrigan Parliamentary Building. Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications Hon. Claret Connor and Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports Hon Read more

Minister Teatt And Council Of Advice Forge Closer Ties

St. Maarten -A working and cooperation methodology where feedback and input would be sought from the Council of Advice on initiative laws thereby foregoing a long tedious process to get legislation approved, is the result of a recent meeting between Minister of TEATT Claret Connor and members of the High Council of State, the Council of Advice led by Vice Chairlady Mavis Brooks-Salmon Read more

Minister Teatt Meets With Council Of Advice

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor earlier in the week met with members of the High Council of State, the Council of Advice led by Vice Chairlady Mavis Brooks-Salmon.

There was a very good and extensive discussion that took place on a number of issues resulting in a working and cooperation methodology where feedback and input would be sought from the Council of Advice on initiative laws thereby foregoing a long tedious process to get legislation approved.

Minister Connor presented his vision and plans related to his ministry Read more

Meeting on Checkmate contract proves fruitless

Various Members of Parliament speak with Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Claret Connor and his support staff.

 

~ ‘Sensitive answers’ to be given in two weeks ~

 PHILIPSBURG--The meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament, which had been called by National Alliance (NA) Members of Parliament (MPs) seeking answers about a hefty rise in pay in a security contract signed between St Read more

Tourism season better, but marketing concerns loom

PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten's accommodation sector enjoyed a positive tourism season, which reportedly measured up to slightly better than last year's. Hotel General Managers (GMs) contacted by The Daily Herald were proud to report the good results, some specifically citing the (now halted) Thomas Cook (TC) charter from Sweden as a positive contribution. However, they also expressed some concern over the lack of destination marketing.

According to St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association's (SHTA's) most recent figures, the first quarter of 2015 saw a total occupancy of 82.1 per cent, of a total of 3,375 rooms belonging to SHTA members Read more

SMHGC and Checkmate Security Contract does not look legitimate says MPs.

style="text-align: center;">Handwritten changes was made on the contract, which is termed as being illegal.

PHILPSBURG:---- During the continuation meeting on Thursday regarding the contract between Checkmate Security and Government owned company St. Maarten Harbor Group of Companies (SMHGC) Members of Parliament were told that there is only one contract between the government owned company and Checkmate Security, and that Members of Parliament cannot obtain a copy but could only peruse the five page document Read more

Good Bye Carnival 2015, Hello 2016 As Scdf Announces Dates

St. Maarten – Carnival 2015 has come to an end and work has already started for the 2016 carnival season. St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) President Michael Granger, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Claret Connor and Marketing Director Rolando Brison all thanked the public for supporting the 2015 activities and promised noting but bigger and better events for the 2016 carnival season.

The burning of King Momo took place close to Midnight in Festival Village on Tuesday morning Read more

SMART joint venture agreement is signed

PHILIPSBURG--A joint venture agreement was signed on Wednesday, May 6, in Dr. A.C. Wathey Legislative Hall of the Government Administration Building in Philipsburg by the main partners of the fourteenth St. Martin/St. Maarten Annual Regional Tradeshow (SMART) scheduled to be held Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino May 13-15.

The agreement was signed in the presence of St. Martin Tourism Office President Jeanne Rogers-Vanterpool; St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor would like to express his gratitude to all who made Carnival 2015 possible.

Carnival 2015 was held under the banner of "Come Experience Life."

"My gratitude to everybody goes from A to Z, from the organizers, the St Read more

Central Committee Meeting Requested By Na Faction About Port St. Maarten And Checkmate Security Contract

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – The Central Committee of Parliament will meet in public session on May 07 at the request of the National Alliance (NA) faction.

The Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications Hon. Claret Connor, has been invited to be present for the House session.

The Central Committee meeting is set for Thursday at 2.00pm in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelmina Straat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda is related to the previous and current contract signed between the Harbour Group of Companies and Checkmate Security, and the sudden hike in the contract sum for outside security services.

This meeting was requested by the NA faction Member of Parliament (MP) Hon Read more

Burning of King Momo marks end of Carnival

CARNIVAL VILLAGE--The 2015 Carnival season officially came to an end last night with the burning of King Momo in Carnival Village at midnight.

King Momo was set alight by fire-dancer Jason Carter after revellers enjoyed one last jump-up to Carnival Village starting near Le Grand Marché, and listened to closing words by St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) President Michael Granger, Marketing Director Rolando Brison and Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Claret Connor.

Granger called it "the night we all dread," but said there would be many changes coming for next year's Carnival season, which he called "an infusion of culture," including bringing back a number of elements Read more

National Day Of Remembrance Held Monday (Ii)

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The National Day of Remembrance Ceremony 2015 was held on Monday morning at the Captain Hodge Wharf in Philipsburg at 9.00AM.

The ceremony remembered the sacrifice made by those who defended us in the 2nd World War and those who have served in various peace missions.

On hand for the remembrance ceremony was the Governor of St. Maarten the Honorable Eugene Holiday, Prime Minister the Honorable Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor met with the Dutch St. Maarten United Bus Drivers Association where a number of issues and topics related to public transportation were discussed.

Minister Connor informed the bus drivers association that the Transportation Department is currently working on a policy document and the issues presented by the association during the meeting will be addressed in the policy Read more

Minister Teatt Connor Meets With Bus Drivers

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor met with the Dutch St. Maarten United Bus Drivers Association where a number of issues and topics related to public transportation were discussed.

Minister Connor informed the bus drivers association that the Transportation Department is currently working on a policy document and the issues presented by the association during the meeting will be addressed in the policy Read more