St. Martin winning “Best Event Destination in the Caribbean” at the 2025 World Travel Awards at the Sandals Grande Saint Lucian (see Tuesday newspaper) is a victory for the entire island. Although presented to the French side Tourism Office, the Dutch side undoubtedly played no small part in earning this recognition.
Activities both north and south of the open border have drawn many overseas guests over the years and built up a reputation as place where exciting things happen. The Gastronomy Festival and Carnival, heading for its 55th anniversary edition in St. Maarten, are mentioned, but there are many others, including the Heineken Regatta, SXM Music Festival and – since last year – Soul Beach Music Festival, St. Maarten/St. Martin Day, Bastille Day, etc.
The destination is known for joining in US celebrations such as Halloween and Thanksgiving too, in addition to its own traditional end-of-year festivities.
While some say the island has focussed too much on mass tourism, it’s in any case not boring. At a time when travellers are increasingly looking for more than sun, sand and sea, this can certainly be considered a plus.
Attention should now also be given to so-called heritage tourism. Highlighting monuments and historically significant areas makes visits interesting.
Together with recent record arrival figures at Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) and announced flight expansions as well as new routes, this latest acknowledgement helps cement “The Friendly Island’s” position as premier vacation spot.
