Minister of Tourism Stuart Johnson looks at the damage to room #5 during a tour of LAMA Guest House on E.C. Richardson Street recently.
PHILIPSBURG–Tourism Minister Stuart Johnson recently met with St. Maarten Small Properties Association (SMSPA) President Nzinga Lake earlier this month and was given an update on challenges of small hotels in St. Maarten.
Johnson toured LAMA Guest House, Joshua Rose Guest House and Kary’s Guest House as part of his commitment to working with the hotels in St. Maarten as they repair their properties post-Hurricane Irma. He spoke to the hotel operators who explained some of the challenges they face with repairs.
Johnson said on Tuesday, “The hotel industry in St. Maarten suffered a massive blow when the most powerful hurricane on record, Hurricane Irma, blew in for a short spell, destroying many properties in her path. Since then several of the larger resorts have already started repairs, and some have reopened their doors to guests despite not being fully operational.
“Very worrisome are the challenges faced by small properties, some of whom still await insurance settlements so they can repair their businesses, many of which have been in families for generations.”
Johnson quickly reached out to some of the small hotel operators who have been struggling and promised to get support from the government to assist in their recovery. Considering that many of the hotels are 10 or 14 rooms, their limited financial resources will make it difficult for a full recovery on time, which has a long-term negative impact on their ability to provide service.
Johnson said the small hotels were significant not just for the economy but because of the role they play in expanding and solidifying the regional hub function of Princess Juliana International Airport. To support these smaller properties, the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) will be working closely with SMSPA to raise the small hotels’ profile in recognition of the significant role they play in attracting regional visitors to the destination.
“During the annual Carnival celebration or just for shopping or an extended weekend of partying, the smaller hotels have consistently been the mainstay for the visitors from the neighbouring islands,” Johnson said. He hopes to be able, through the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau (STB) to be able to tailor special promotional programmes to promote the distinct individual features of the small hotels on the island as a means of helping them develop their clientele and generate year-round “heads in beds.”
While working with hotels on their rebuilding, Johnson said a critical focus is ensuring that the necessary action plans are already being put in place for destination marketing. This should also consider St. Maarten’s real identity and what it offers, which must include the smaller properties. The ultimate goal is maximising visitor arrivals once the hotels are reopened.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/79579-johnson-tours-damaged-properties-with-smspa
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