PHILIPSBURG/BRAZIL--St. Maarten, St. Martin and Anguilla, in collaboration with Copa Airlines, are midway through tourism promotion investment in Brazil, in the form of training some 650 travel agents, in a programme running from September 1 to 15.
Brazilian media outlet specialising in tourism news Mercado e Eventos recently reported that the programme, spanning eight Brazilian cities, is to enable the travel agents to strategically sell the destinations, as an advertising campaign is set to be launched in the coming months.
Marina Vergueiro, Interamerican Network Account Manager representing St. Maarten and Anguilla, was quoted during a training session in São Paulo as explaining that the proximity of the destinations was a reason for the partnership, and that one of the advantages is that the travel agent can offer five experiences in one trip: Dutch and French sides St. Maarten/St. Martin, Anguilla, St. Barths and Saba. “...We do not want the passenger to stay at the hotel, but to explore,” he was quoted as saying.
The regional destinations are pulling the Brazilian market, Mercado e Eventos said, citing that seven thousand Brazilians visited St. Martin in 2014.
Jean-Bruno Gillot of Cap/Amazon was said to have stressed the importance of Brazil at the training session, and said the company would be attending the Brazilian Travel Agencies Association ABAV – the largest tourism trade show in the Americas – and also hold a luncheon this month for Brazilian journalists, in order to introduce the new advertising campaign.
Partner Copa Airlines connects the regions via its four weekly St. Maarten- Panama flights 
