Sje Vaughn Fleming (left) accepting her staycation voucher from STDF clerical assistant Shanettie Carty.
ST. EUSTATIUS–Sje Vaughn Fleming is the first person to utilise St. Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation’s (STDF’s) staycation promotion. Fleming made her reservation to stay at Statia Lodge.
The Staycation programme gives guests the opportunity to reserve a minimum two-night stay where the first night is offered at a reduced rate and the second night is free. Promotion for the Staycation runs March 15 to June 2021 for stays between March 15, 2021, and March 15, 2022. Staycations can be booked at Statia Lodge, Old Gin House, Papaya Inn and Knippenga villa rental.
STDF clerical assistant Shanettie Carty is point person at the Tourism Office for the programme. She can be contacted at tel. 318-2433 or 318-2107, 8:00am to 4:00pm.
Staycations are open only to Statia residents, who must be 21 years or older to qualify. STDF product development manager Maya Pandt stated previously that this project is an attempt to stimulate the tourism industry, assist the hotels economically, and offer locals a chance to live like tourists and enjoy the facilities and amenities offered to guests.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/stdf-welcomes-first-staycationer-in-statia
Giving back to community is the adagio. All seems well. Or not?
But, it makes questions arouse. Most, maybe all of these voucher buyers should otherwise not have done this. These hotels are too costly, and a selection of customers or tourists is conscious made by the owners to discriminate islanders not to come to the premises. Tourists could get the ‘wrong’ idea of the island.
Now a few islanders can take this opportunity. They are in a position to have spare money.
The mayority of the people of Statia does not have this. They have mayor problems. Enough food for the family. A non-leaking roof. Or even having a roof. Education problems of their children. Lost jobs. Welfare that’s a starvation idea of the dutch. Prices of all imported goods that are too high (because of the dutch protected Winair monopoly).
Nothing has changed in the world. Government keeps them dumb and poor. That’s the best for the exploitation.
Yes, they’ve learned that before and after 1863.
No, the mayority of the Statians have far greater problems than a vacation. Besides, seeing all luxury of the elite, does not feel right.
If these owners would like to do something for the community that let’s them operate on our island, then they have to do more to fight poverty. Giving an ‘aalmoes’ is NOT enough. It should not be like giving to receive indulgences (aflaten).
Another way of thinking could be: if we don’t give, they will take it anyway. Remember the Bastille!