A regular guest to the island complains on today’s opinion pages about harassment by businesses and their vendors in Philipsburg. It’s actually the second such letter to the editor in just over week. One
author says many of her friends don’t want to visit Front Street anymore, while the other claimed being downright scared to go there.
Granted, the problem is nothing new. In the past these practices got so out of hand around the water taxi landing at Captain Hodge Wharf that a cruise line wrote to Government about it.
The situation improved after that, but it now appears things are headed in the same direction. What’s more, judging from these reactions, the merchants involved appear to be defeating their own purpose.
Nobody obviously wants to turn the downtown shopping area into some type of “militarised zone” with law enforcement authorities constantly taking action all over the place, but it can’t be a virtual free-for-all either. Sales activities should in principle be limited to inside the stores or designated booths and not conducted outside on the public road.
Of course, handing a pedestrian a folder seems innocent enough, but applying any kind of pressure physically or even verbally simply goes too far. Those concerned also must keep in mind that the overall impression of and experience in the destination ultimately have a long-term impact on everyone, including them.
Advertising abroad like that just announced by the St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) is quite welcome, not to mention St. Martin being ranked first in the Caribbean Tourism Quality Index in addition to its recent TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award for Best Caribbean Beach.
However, all these efforts and achievements will prove in vain if visitors are made to feel uncomfortable while here.
