When faced with an extremely difficult situation like the current one, good news is at a premium. With the Dutch side’s stayover tourism likely to decline by more than 50 per cent based on the number of unavailable resorts and rooms, as well as a considerable drop expected in cruise calls and yacht visits, it is very important that efforts to help the economy recover do not go unnoticed.
Examples include today’s story on Rockland Estate eco-park that will now open in November exhibiting at next week’s Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Conference and Tradeshow. There has been quite some expectation regarding this future attraction operated by Rainforest Adventures within the branch and if enough people want to experience such there will be ships to get them here.
Also positive is that the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau (STB) and North American marketing firm MMGY are working with the St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) to coordinate their actions. After all, selling vacations that can’t be delivered makes little sense and could even be counterproductive.
More than ever it is essential that the public and private sectors cooperate closely in getting the destination back on its feet both short- and long-term. The recent presence of Princess Juliana International Airport SXM at a Jet Convention in Las Vegas and supporting the marine industry in being at upcoming boat shows are other ways to do so.
While it might seem unrelated, the return of brown pelican colonies nesting at Little Bay is significant, as was the recent announcement that local dive sites still have an abundance of popular sea creatures for underwater viewing. One of the main reasons so many visitors come to the island is its natural beauty, and to see the environment, including beaches, rebounding so quickly is encouraging, to say the least.
Despite the catastrophe, international confidence in the product remains high, as decisions to continue events depending on attendance from abroad such as the Heineken Regatta, Carnival and the Aviation Meetup prove.
St. Maarten strong indeed.
