a vision of a vibrant St. Maarten
Amid growing competition in the Caribbean and beyond, concerns are emerging that St. Maarten is at risk of losing its edge in an increasingly crowded tourism landscape. This shift is attributed to several factors, including limited financing for marketing initiatives and what some industry experts call a hesitance to embrace innovative tourism trends, both of which are essential for attracting the modern traveler.
As neighboring islands in the Caribbean invest heavily in tourism infrastructure and promotion, St. Maarten faces challenges in keeping pace. Competing destinations have increased their marketing budgets and adopted cutting-edge digital campaigns to showcase their unique offerings, while other countries in the region are promoting new attractions, eco-tourism, and cultural experiences tailored to the shifting interests of today’s tourists.
Moreover, the global travel market is constantly evolving, with travelers increasingly seeking sustainable tourism options, wellness retreats, and immersive cultural experiences.
With over three decades of experience in St. Maarten’s tourism sector, Ricardo Perez brings an insightful perspective on the island’s unique strengths and challenges in an increasingly competitive global market. As a prominent figure in the industry, Perez has witnessed the island’s evolution from economic highs and lows to new trends and infrastructural shifts. In this interview, he shares his outlook on the future of St. Maarten as a top destination, the critical need for diversification in the tourism product, infrastructure advancements, and sustainability initiatives. Through his work at Oyster Bay Resort and his involvement in community and environmental projects, Perez continues to champion a vision for a vibrant, resilient St. Maarten.
His belief in St. Maarten remains constant. At the heart of the Coronavirus epidemic, he told The New York Times: “You got to hunker down, you got to be fiscally and financially responsible, you got to cut down your expenses to a bare minimum. Who knows what the industry is going to look like coming out of this. Is this a fatal blow? Or is this a blow that will take a long time to come out of?” His belief in the country’s ability to bounce back, anchored in its resilience, answered those questions.
What keeps you confident about the island’s future as a top tourism destination, especially in an increasingly competitive global market?
Having been associated with St. Maarten since 1989, I’ve seen this island go through its share of highs and lows. What keeps me confident is the resilience and spirit of all the nationalities that coexist on the island in addition to our privileged geographical location. St. Maarten offers something truly unique with its blend of Dutch and French cultures and its unique culinary offering we are truly the culinary capital of the Caribbean. These qualities have stood the test of time, and visitors continue to be drawn to the island not only for its beaches but for the warm, memorable experience. We have a unique tourism product to offer the world. The business sector keeps reinventing itself and adapting to the ever-changing landscape of the tourism industry.
What do you view as the biggest obstacle currently facing hoteliers on the island?
Currently, one of the major challenges is the high cost of operating in St. Maarten, from cost of products to the issues with our power grid. Availability of labor is an issue from housekeeping up to specialize jobs like chefs, qualified tradesmen is a concern. We also need to address our road network to alleviate traffic since when the island is at high occupancy levels is almost a gridlock situation. In other words, we become victims of our own success.
Is St. Maarten’s tourism product keeping up with global trends like eco-tourism, digital experiences, or luxury services?
Lately we see a significant number of new luxury properties being developed which is a market that we had lost to other destinations like Anguilla and St. Barts, but we need to make sure we have the proper level of service to cater to this group in order to retain it. We need to improve our internet speed and connectivity to be able to attract more clients to vacation longer if they can work remotely while on vacation or even better make St. Maarten their “satellite” workspace. Eco-tourism is one of the major opportunities, but we need to start from the basics before dwelling into it as an industry. We need to work from the ground upkeep the island clean, controlling wastewater from businesses and residences in general protecting our immediate environment. In my opinion tourism and conservation must be a mandatory course in the educational system from pre-kindergarten all the way to high school. This way tourism can become a career choice not a last resource when you don’t find any other industry.
How have the government and private sectors responded to the need for better infrastructure for tourism?
We’ve seen investments in airport renovations and now we are seeing some road patching work. However, more needs to be done, particularly in areas like waste management and sustainable energy. Private sector has invested millions in in backup generators and electrical repairs in the las months since they cannot rely on GEBE’s supply, but they must continue operating to survive. GEBE is our only provider, and it needs a major revamp. Government together with Police need to address the traffic situation in anticipation of a very busy high season.
How do you assess the business climate in St. Maarten today?
St. Maarten’s business climate is growing, but it can be challenging due to high operational costs and unregulated competition. For example, presently there are more Vacation rental units than hotel rooms. Many of these properties are not registered as businesses and no statistics are readily available about their compliance with the payment of TOT/Occupancy tax. Therefore, this creates an uneven competitive field for the same incoming tourist. The island needs to reevaluate the taxation system to make it easier and simpler to conduct business with a more holistic approach.
What unique advantages does St. Maarten offer that destinations like the Dominican Republic, Aruba, and Puerto Rico can’t replicate?
St. Maarten’s unique blend of Dutch and French cultures, combined with the diversity of experiences—from world-class beaches to the best dinning in the region gives us a distinctive appeal. The island’s compact size allows for an immersive yet accessible experience, where visitors can explore multiple cultures and activities without extensive travel. Our proximity to Anguilla, Saba and Statia sets us apart from any other destination. Add to that our potpourri of cultures and things to do. St. Maarten really has it all.
What has your experience been with finding and retaining talent in St. Maarten?
Talent retention is indeed a challenge in St. Maarten’s tourism industry. There is a shortage of skilled labor, partly due to the cost of living and limited advanced educational resources. The current labor laws make it very difficult for employees to grow since they loose their longevity (cessantia) if they move from job to another one. We need to encourage more prospects to study tourism related careers to avoid or minimize this “brain drain”.
How do climate change and environmental sustainability concerns affect St. Maarten’s tourism industry? Are there initiatives to mitigate these risks?
Climate change is a significant concern for St. Maarten, and we’ve already seen its impacts with hurricane activity in the Atlantic. At the resorts level, properties investing in energy-efficient technology and eco-friendly guest initiatives. These changes are gradual but essential for ensuring that St. Maarten remains a safe, sustainable destination for years to come.
How does Oyster Bay contribute to the wider St. Maarten community beyond tourism?
Oyster Bay Resort takes pride in supporting St. Maarten through educational partnerships, community events, and environmental initiatives. We participate in local beach clean-ups and support internship programs throughout the year. Our goal is to give back meaningfully, making a positive impact that goes beyond tourism and enriches the lives of our local community. We are also very involved with the SHTA and the Timeshare Association making our contribution even more far reaching. We have a number of employees that started with us a interns.
What’s next for the Oyster Bay Resort? Do you foresee any significant changes in how you will operate over the next decade?
We are constantly evolving in finding ways to increase the level of service and comfort to our guests. We are looking at ways of keeping our guests engaged making sure their accessibility to their digital experience is as close to home as possible.
We are also looking at ways how to attract the newer generations to be our newest wave of timeshare owners who has proven to be a savior for St. Maarten’s tourism source over the years.
Source: The Peoples Tribune https://www.thepeoplestribunesxm.com
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