POND ISLAND – A joint “One Island Cooperation” government delegation from Sint Maarten/St. Martin are currently in New York City for the 45th Caribbean Week (CW) which kicked off on June 2 and runs until June 8.
There will be a joint press conference on June 7 right after the Media Marketplace where Minister De Weever and Vice President of Tourism for St. Martin, Valerie Damaseau, will provide a state of affairs update of the destination’s tourism industry post-Irma; highlight and share collaborative and co-operative initiatives currently taking place in developing the tourism product of the island according to the “One Island Cooperation” Memorandum of Understanding that was initially signed on February 23, 2018.
CW brings together Caribbean tourism officials, travel trade industry executives, consumers and students to participate in a calendar of activities that showcases the best of Caribbean tourism.
The activities are a combination of business sessions and consumer-oriented events with food, fashion, entertainment, sales and networking opportunities.
CW creates an awareness of the Caribbean’s diverse product offerings and showcases its desirability through business development and opportunities, consumer engagement and authentic cultural experiences.
Acting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation & Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Cornelius de Weever said on Sunday that CW is an opportunity for the island as one destination to promote itself.
“It is a platform for us to provide the latest information about the destination post Irma with respect to the re-opening of various resorts and the additional airlift that the destination is receiving from its airline partners. The aforementioned will allow travel agents and tour operators to sell Sint Maarten/Saint Martin vacations.
“CW also provides significant publicity, networking and engaging with various stakeholders to rediscover the destination. At the same time, we will be meeting with Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Directors, Regional Ministers and Commissioners to discuss tourism and travel trade related matters,” Minister Cornelius de Weever said on Sunday.
Vice President of Tourism for St. Martin, Valerie Damaseau, on Sunday stated: “It is essential that we promote both sides of the island as one, highlighting the uniqueness of the destination, one stop with several experiences.
“This model was long coming, and we are proud to announce to the world, a united front while moving forward and making St. Martin/Sint Maarten great again!”
CW is organized by the CTO. CW 2018 is expected to attract approximately 600,000 attendees; 24-member countries are taking part; and there should be over 3,600 engagement minutes with stakeholders.
The 2018 Signature CW Events are the Rum & Rhythm Benefit, the Caribbean Student Colloquium and the Trade Show and Educational Program for Travel Agents.
A destination video will be shown during CW and will highlight that the destination is open and is already being re-discovered by tourists; excursions; accommodations; transportation; beaches; dining; and nightlife.
The joint delegation also comprises of Director of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau (STB) May-Ling Chun, Interim Director of Office de Tourisme de St. Martin Aida Weinum, as well as other officials from both the French and Dutch sides of the island.
Director of STB said on Sunday: “We are diligently working on a tourism model that allows our stakeholders, beneficiaries, and the entire community to thrive and prosper.”
PHOTO CUTLINE: A joint stakeholders meeting as part of the “One Island Cooperation” Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this year.
