PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunication (TEATT) Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher congratulated St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation for “a job well done” in organising and executing Carnival 2017, pointing to the fact that with the continued growth of St. Maarten Carnival the economic impact for the island is greater.
“As you know all of Carnival’s subsidy comes directly from the TEATT Ministry with the intention that the SCDF dedicates the majority of these funds to marketing the festival regionally and internationally. Judging by hotel bookings alone through the month of April, Carnival continues to do very well for the economy of St. Maarten with stay-over visitors, most of whom stay for a week or more in St. Maarten. This leads to a positive economic spinoff for hotels, restaurants, car rentals and Carnival Village and events,” the Minister said.
Prior to Carnival 2017 the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau reported that hotel occupancy through April was at 85 per cent. The Minister noted that occupancy increased to approximately 92 per cent with a surge of visitors to the island in the last two weeks of Carnival. Final numbers are still being compiled.
The Minister noted that social media and online activity also increased this year with SCDF utilising its very popular Facebook page with more than 40,000 likes, Snapchat, Instagram and its website to engage potential visitors from around the world who now know about St. Maarten’s Carnival.
In addition to SCDF, the Minister explained, there are now several independent video, still-photography and other social media outlets that cater specifically to the promotion of Carnival.
“The videos and images that are being spread worldwide about Carnival are very impressive,” she noted. “SCDF should also be commended for working with two of the island’s largest tour operators, Nexus Tours and Bella Tours, in executing Carnival Village tours for our visitors and exporting this part of our culture.
“Lastly, I would like to thank and congratulate the board and volunteers of SCDF for the tireless work they put into Carnival on an annual basis. We all enjoy it, but sometimes underestimate the magnitude of the work it takes to pull off a three-week festival. Ministry TEATT and in particular the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau will continue to work with SCDF to facilitate further growth of St. Maarten’s largest annual event.”
