Quite a few people were wondering what was going on with a helicopter hovering above the Sentry Hill area for much of weekend. It turned out to be preparations for work on the Rainforest Adventure Park (see related story).
The project scheduled for opening next summer could provide an important boost for the local tourism economy. The need for “something new and exciting” is often mentioned as a way to help keep visitors coming.
As a matter of fact, a recent study by Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) into that country’s cruise sector showed that while 36 per cent of the passengers surveyed are satisfied with the overall product and 55 per cent even very satisfied, they do desire more diverse activities. Having enough popular tour options is also considered a real plus by the cruise lines, especially if they can share in the revenues.
Along with the news in Saturday’s paper that Princess Juliana International Airport SXM is among 11 international airports in nine countries selected for a possible expansion of the US pre-clearance programme, confirmation that the attraction at Emilio Wilson Estate is practically a reality sends a positive message about and to the local hospitality sector, which may not have been experiencing the best of times lately. It indicates St. Maarten still has what it takes as destination and regarding its hub function that once again came up during the 55th anniversary celebration of local airline Winair.
If the two developments mentioned above are indeed realised and other major plans like those of the Pearl of China at Belair and Royal Caribbean at the harbour also come true, it would appear “The Friendly Island” is looking at a pretty bright future.
