Travel agents from Canada, the United States, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean have been added for the first time to this year’s attendees for the St. Maarten/St. Martin Annual Regional Tradeshow (SMART).
The tradeshow organisers have encouraged travel agents from those areas to be part of the event set for May 16-18 in Radisson Blu Resort, Marina and Spa. This is yet another sign of the locally grown tradeshow is picking up pace. This new addition offers more possibilities for hoteliers, activities operators and supporting organisations to do increased business and to explore niche markets.
SMART has secured a special package for the travel agents to encourage them to become part of the tradeshow. The package is priced at US $399 per person and includes a three-night stay at participating hotels, tax and service charge, breakfast daily, airport transfers, SMART Registration, transfers to shows, participation at all functions, and island tour.
Participating hotels are Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino, Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort and Casino, Sapphire Beach Club, Oyster Bay Beach Resort, Esmeralda Resort, Alamanda Resort, La Plantation, Beach Plaza and Mercure.
American Airlines is also offering specials for travel agents who want to travel to the Caribbean. That travel is valid through the month of May. Although the offer is not specifically for SMART, it is handy for travel agents in the United States to take advantage of, according to SMART organisers.
SMART stakeholders – St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, L’Office du Tourisme de St. Martin, St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) and L’Association des Hoteliers de St. Martin – are already busy contacting travel agents in their databases to promote this package.
Organisers also encourage local and regional tourism related businesses to get on board with SMART and use it as a vehicle to drum up business for the 2012/2013 high season and cement partnerships for the future. The event will also give them an opportunity to see what other destinations offer and to seek partnerships with vacation wholesalers and the holiday division of airlines.
Online registration for SMART is in effect. New applicants can obtain a username and password from SHTA office by emailing sm***@sh**.com. For more information also visit: http://www.shta.com/smart.