The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau is currently hosting a group press trip consisting of journalists from the Netherlands and Belgium representing the publications: ‘De Telegraaf’, ‘Reishonger’, ‘We Are Travellers’ as well as ‘KNACK’.
These journalists are on St. Maarten to see the progress made, as well as to receive updates from various stakeholders including Princess Juliana International Airport and Port St. Maarten. In addition, the journalists will partake in various activities on the Dutch and French side to get a sense of what there is to do on the island. The journalists will visit the art gallery of Max Phelipa ‘Art in the Garden’ and Tess Verheij ‘Art Craft Café’. They will also experience the zipline at Rainforest Adventures, take a tour at Topper’s Rhum Distillery as well as take a sunset sail by Aquamania amongst other activities.
At the welcome dinner organized for the journalists, Acting Minister of TEATT Cornelius de Weever was present, alongside Interim Head of Tourism May-Ling Chun and members from Port St. Maarten, Princess Juliana International Airport and St. Maarten Tourist Bureau. Students of the National Institute of Arts gave a heartwarming performance at the welcome dinner that show cased the local dance and attire.
“Our Tourism product has drastically changed and we have the opportunity to rebuild St. Maarten phase by phase better and stronger and public relations is a high priority in this entire process” says May-Ling Chun.
It is imperative that the consumer markets in the Netherlands and Belgium know that there is progress being made on the island after the devastation of Hurricane Irma, and most importantly that there are ample tourism activities and hotels that are open and ready to welcome tourists again.
Therefore, the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau will continuously work on public relations to ensure that the trade and consumer markets are aware that St. Maarten is open for business and that they receive updates about the progress of the island as it happens.