Destination St Maarten has embarked upon on developing Sports Tourism for the country with the establishment of a Sports Tourism Council. The new entity is structured to attract annual sports events to the island and to stimulate economic development. The destination has new sports facilities under construction and more facilities are scheduled to be upgraded in 2014.
The Sports Tourism Council Sint Maarten Foundation ( STC SINT MAARTEN) is scheduled to attend Teams Conference 2013 in the USA to attract sports events to the destination, and is also currently busy putting together a 2014 calendar of events.
STC Sint Maarten seeks to develop triathlon event, marathon, cycling tour, youth basketball tournaments, softball tournaments, indoor slot model car racing, a kickboxing event, celebrity games, cricket tournaments, baseball tournaments, soccer tournament and other sports related events.
The Sports Tourism Council has a dynamic team of founders namely: Juan Pablo Piscione as President, Stanley Lint as Treasurer, Reggie Plaisir as Secretary, General Board Members Reggie Coram, and Peter Arndell.
The foundation welcomes corporate partnerships in order to achieve its main objectives. The board would like to thank the council’s first sponsor the owners of Trisports with their financial support of the formation of the Sports Tourism Council.
President Juan Pablo Piscione says: "I am very glad that Sint Maarten is getting serious about developing sports tourism. Many countries (several Caribbean islands) are already experiencing economic growth that visiting athletes bring. Entrepreneurs and local companies will grow. And even more exciting is our local athletes will benefit from the more professional levels of sportsmanship".
The Sports Tourism Council Sint Maarten will collaborate with various stakeholders including French St. Martin sports organizations in hosting international events. Due to the fact some international sports events may require using sports facilities on both sides of the island. The Sports Tourism Council will also be developing and promoting 20 Annual Sports Events for destination Sint Maarten / St. Martin via a joint marketing and operational budgets.
Sports Tourism Council Sint Maarten is looking to sign a Service Level Agreement with Tourism and Sports Ministries within the near future to develop this new niche tourism product.
This new team embarks on promoting existing annual sports events such as the Heineken Regatta now broadcasted on ESPN and the 3rd Annual Caribserve Video X Games while attracting new events to the destination.
For those requiring additional information about the Sport Tourism Council, you can call 522-2828 or email: reggieplaisir@yahoo.com
PHOTO CUTLINE: L to R, Reggie Plaisir, Secretary; Juan Pablo Piscione, President; and Peter Arndell, board member.