OYSTER BAY–The joint promotion of St. Maarten/St. Martin as one island and strengthening Carnival as a cultural event were amongst the list of priorities for the tourism industry that Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT), Stuart Johnson outlined during a stakeholders press conference on Monday.
In a PowerPoint presentation entitled “Getting back on track,” Johnson said priorities include developing a 10-year tourism master plan; the strengthening of country’s hub partner relationship; continuing with the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with French St. Martin; and the promotion of destination St. Maarten/St. Martin as one island.
The strengthening of Carnival as a cultural event, including focusing on Carnival turning 50 next year; the hosting of the fourth Dutch Caribbean Gaming and AML forum; and the beautification of the bar of cultural boutique hotel Pasanggrahan were listed as other priorities.
Johnson also alluded to supporting festivals and local entertainment events such as the Heineken Regatta; reviewing the marketing and public relations representation firms in major source markets such as the USA, Canada, Brazil, Argentina and Benelux, and the finalisation of the Air Service Development Committee as other goals.
Reviewing and addressing the challenges and legislation in the maritime industry, completion of US pre-clearance at Princess Juliana International Airport and the modernisation of the collection of passenger arrival and departure statistics were also mentioned.
Other priorities include the revitalisation of Philipsburg, reopening of hotels, completion of a vendors’ market, regulation of public transportation and further airlift development for the country.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/80541-johnson-outlines-tourism-priorities
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