Stakeholders recently attended a monthly “stakeholder’s session” convened by the Managing Board of SXM Airport Ravi Daryanani, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Operations Officer Michel Hyman.
The objective of the meeting was to gather, compile and share information with respect to the recovery status of both sides of the island.
Acting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Cornelius de Weever, was also present and provided information related to discussions he had at Seatrade Cruise Global, and with American Airlines and Spirit Airlines.
“When it comes to sharing information to our stakeholders like the airlines and cruise ships, and when it comes to marketing Sint Maarten in general, we must be all on one page.
“Our reporting must be the same. Developments from the port to the airport must be shared and synchronized. Attending conferences separately or jointly, we still have to sing the same song.
“The Memorandum of Understanding with our counterparts is to ensure we are cooperating, being efficient and effective,” Minister Cornelius de Weever told the representatives at the stakeholder session.
“As a destination both North and South, we are on the right track in rebuilding our island. However, the sharing of information and the synchronization of efforts will be key in the rebuilding process of public infrastructure and the tourism industry.
“These stakeholder sessions between North and South are essential in keeping everybody informed and is an important step at this juncture of our destination recovery and rebuilding,” Acting Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs Cornelius de Weever concluded.
The participants included representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT), Vice President Valerie Damaseau of the French St. Martin Tourist Office along with representatives, private sector representative from North and South as well as the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association, the Grand Case Airport, Port St. Maarten and SXM Airport.
The meeting was moderated and chaired by Ravi Daryanani, CFO/CEO and was held at Simpson Bay Resort.
The next monthly meeting will take place in Marigot.