Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Stuart Johnson is encouraging tourism entities to support the 2019 15thedition of the Saint Martin/Sint Maarten Annual Trade Show (SMART) that will allow travel trade stakeholders to share updates and develop new business opportunities for the 2019-2020 tourism season.
The 2019 15thEdition of SMART is being organized by the two tourism organizations of Saint Martin (Office du Tourisme), Sint Maarten (Sint Maarten Tourism Bureau) and private sector entities L’Association des Hoteliers de Saint Martin (AHSM) and the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA).
SMART will take place from May 21 to May 23.
“I am very pleased that SMART, the largest tradeshow of the North Eastern Caribbean will be making a comeback this year. 2019 is a year where a number of events are taking place such as the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta opening this week; the St. Martin Electric Music Festival in March; Carnival 50 in April; and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Platinum Associate Membership Advisory Council Cruise Summit (PAMAC) in June, a major cruise tourism conference on the calendar of activities for the year.
“I am looking forward to welcoming Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Travel Writers and Event Planners from the US, Canada, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean to SMART in May.
“With all the events taking place during the first half of 2019, the country is indeed back in business. SMART will be a very important gathering of tourism stakeholders who will help shape the tourism journey by forming partnerships with others present.
“SMART attendees will work together that would create and harness opportunities for our people and economies which is a win-win for all creating a vibrant tourism industry.
“Now is the time for prospective attendees to be SMART and make use of the early bird specials to attend the 15thEdition of SMART,” Minister of Tourism Stuart Johnson said on Sunday.
The organizers of SMART recently announced an early bird ticket season for prospective attendees which can be done by sending an email to: events@shta.com.
The three-day trade show will comprise of masterclasses, workshops, various activities, festivities and business to business sessions.
SMART has attracted participants over the years from Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Montserrat, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Barths, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Sint Maarten-St. Martin.