PHILIPSBURG – The long awaited St. Maarten Tourism Authority (STA) has been officially established, disclosed Minister of Tourism Ingrid Arrindell at Wednesday’s, May 18, Council of Ministers press conference.
“Many of the entities, the FCCA cruise executives that were here last week and also the timeshare owners; they all echoed the sentiment that we need to establish this foundation because it is an entity that is long overdue,” Minister Arrindell said.
The STA will consist of the board and a supervisory council. The advisory council will be entrusted with the supervision, policy and management of the board and central course of the foundation. The board will have five persons comprising of a representative each from the Harbour Group of Companies, the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA), an FCCA member, a member of the St. Maarten Timeshare Association and a member appointed by the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT).
Minister Arrindell explained the purpose of the STA. “To promote the sustainable development of the tourism industry of St. Maarten; to promote and coordinate a cooperation between public sector and the private sector organization engaged in this tourism industry; to promote and coordinate activities in a tourism industry in a responsible manner in order to preserve the integrity of the St. Maarten destination. We also will promote public understanding,” she stated.
