Managing Director of St. Maarten Harbour Holding Company (SHHC) Mark Mingo as well as members of the Supervisory Board, will be leaving the island to attend the three-day Seatrade Med Cruise & Super Yacht Convention, an international exhibition and conference serving the cruise industry being held in Venice, Italy from December 9-11.
Europe occupies a pivotal position in the growth and development of the cruise industry.
According to Mingo, attending Seatrade Med Cruise & Super Yacht Convention will allow representatives from the harbour group of companies to learn about the latest trends and developments within the cruise industry.
"We will be able to meet old acquaintances such as leading itinerary planners, and decision makers from the world’s top cruise lines. The harbour group of companies will be profiling once again our strategic location as a homeport destination for small cruise lines as well as super yachts.
Providing the cruise executives an update about our expansion plans and the progress being made is also at the top of the agenda. The Port of St. Maarten is on course in meeting the requirements of future larger vessels and will be ready when those ships set sail for the first time with cruise passengers.
"The Port of St. Maarten will also be increasing its marketing in order to deal with the current global economic challenges which are having an impact on tourism and travel overall. The European cruise lines represent a significant percentage of our cruise business.
"European cruise lines are the fastest growing companies when compared to American based cruise businesses. Being cognizant of this, we intend to work diligently at the convention as we need both sides of the business out of Europe as well as out of the United States. We have a business policy in place that was put together under the leadership of Commissioner of Port Affairs Theo Heyliger and the supervisory board of directors.
"Destination St. Maarten as a whole has to look at new travel trends with respect to the interests and demands of the cruise passenger. This plays a very important role in what type of tours a destination offers cruise passengers. A new approach is needed from the private sector especially during these challenging times when every destination will be looking at new ways and means to increase cruise business.
"St. Maarten is no different. There are opportunities out there that are worth exploring and developing and that is where the creative entrepreneurial spirit comes into play," Harbour Group of Companies Managing Director Mark Mingo said before leaving for the cruise convention.