The Tourism Bureau of St. Maarten is busy organizing a culinary event entitled, Flaavors—Food & Wine Festival, that is organized in conjunction with Guillermo Ramis of Paradigm Associates, a Marketing, Branding, and Public Relations firm that is based in Puerto Rico.
There was a presentation of this up-coming event for persons in the industry at the Westin Dawn Beach Hotel and Casino, one of the sponsors of the event.
The Food & Wine event is meant as another attraction to the island; thus exploring and expanding the tourism product to current and other target markets.
Regina La Bega said, "We are using another tool to market St. Maarten that will reach other target markets. The event has much potential, from the Mega-yacht industry to the small grocery store to the entire community. By expanding the tourism market, the effects reach throughout the community."
We are aiming to have everyone of the community come out and experience and take part in the Food & Wine festival. You will have the opportunity of interacting with these masters of culinary excellence, of meeting them personally and tasting their other worldly creations. But you will also have the opportunity of learning and experiencing personally how to cook from these great chefs, how to taste their great wines and to experience what it takes to achieve greatness.
Ramis said that St. Maarten brands itself as a culinary capital, so it is only fitting to expand on this idea and create a food and wine event. This event will be good for restaurants and other establishments in the industry.
Although, he said, this is the first of such events, it will be a good one and we shall learn and reap the benefits from the exposure, which will provide momentum for the next year.
La Bega said that part of the funds raised during the event will go towards St. Maarten’s culinary team. This gesture will give them a boost, and they will now be more empowered to explore and travel to world class events, spread the name of St. Maarten, and gain invaluable experience, for example, such notable organizations and locations as James Beard and the Atlanta Heights Museum.
The event will be held from November 10 to 14, 2010.
Further information will be forthcoming.