PORT ST. MAARTEN – Port St. Maarten Management is encouraging the local business community in this post-Hurricane Irma era to attend the Caribbean’s largest Cruise Conference and Trade Show, the 24th Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), which is taking place from October 23 to 27.
Country Sint Maarten has to project itself once again that it is a viable cruise destination to visit. There are now four cruise berths that are ready for the first cruise ship visits.
Port St. Maarten is already collaborating with other very important stakeholders such as the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau (STB), the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and Rain Forest Adventures to promote the destination at FCCA. Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher will be leading the #SXMSTRONG delegation to the Cruise Conference and Trade Show.
The destination must have a very strong presence to showcase that all hands are on deck as the country works to improve the product in the post-Irma era #SXMSTRONG.
Port St. Maarten Management continues to work with cruise line itinerary planners as well as local stakeholders in order to ensure that the destination is ready for the first commercial cruise ship calls at the beginning of November. Most recent discussions were held with representatives from Royal Caribbean Lines (RCL) who visited the destination to carry out an assessment. The delegation was very happy with respect to the clean-up, recovery and rebuilding efforts underway, adding that the cruise line is here to assist the country to “Stand Up.”
The cruise lines have shown their commitment to the destination and are enthusiastic about returning to the island. A delegation from Carnival Corporation & PLC lead by President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Arnold Donald, that visited the country last month, told port and government officials that they are excited about the spirit, determination and resilience of the people they have met with so far with respect to the rebuilding of the country.
Carnival Corporation was very pleased with the positive attitude, forward thinking and outlook displayed during last month’s visit, and therefore Port St. Maarten Management adds that it is very important for the country to be ready for the first commercial cruise ship calls #SXMSTRONG.
The 24th Annual FCCA Conference and Trade Show is an opportunity to profile the destination post-Hurricane Irma to approximately 1,000 cruise tourism stakeholders and 100 senior cruise executives about where the destination is at that point in time, seven weeks after the passing of one of the most destructive hurricanes in the Caribbean.
The FCCA Conference is a four-day event designed to foster a better understanding of the inner workings of the cruise industry and help attendees improve their cruise tourism business during a series of meetings, workshops and networking functions aimed at developing understanding, relationships and business.
Through a specialized forum that blends meetings and workshops with social functions, attendees have a unique opportunity to develop relationships with, promote products to, and learn from approximately 100 executives from FCCA’s 19 Member Lines who decide where ships call, what is sold and used onboard, and how to invest in destinations and infrastructure.
The FCCA Trade Show presents the opportunity for tour operators and shore-excursion companies to present what type of cruise experience they can offer to passengers once they disembark.
Exhibiting at the FCCA Trade Show expands the target and captures the attention of the influential audience of key stakeholders and decision makers from FCCA Member Lines. Any booth puts your product, company, or destination on attendees’ and executives’ minds, with events and cruise executive viewings scheduled to maximize traffic, but special destination pavilion options provide the greatest impact at the Trade Show by showcasing a destination product as a team—from vendors and tour operators to destination ministries and port operators.
Port St. Maarten Management calls on the local business community to contact the port at: comments@portstmaarten.sx with respect to participating in the conference or register directly online via the FCCA website: www.f-cca.com
Created in 1972, the FCCA is a not-for-profit trade organization that provides a forum for discussion on tourism development, ports, safety, security, and other cruise industry issue and builds bilateral relationships with destinations’ private and public sectors. By fostering an understanding of the cruise industry and its operating practices, the FCCA works with governments, ports and private sector representatives to maximize cruise passenger, crew and cruise line spending, as well as enhance the destination experience and increase the amount of cruise passengers returning as stay-over visitors.
The conference and trade show will take place at the Yucatan Siglo XXI Convention Center, Calle 60, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.
PHOTO CUTLINE: #SXMSTRONG.
