PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Ted Richardson announces that the St. Maarten Timeshare Association (SMTA) has nominated Jim Rosen to fill the organizations position in the Supervisory Council in the Sint Maarten Tourism Authority (STA) Foundation.
The Supervisory Council consist of five members whose appointment will be made by: Harbour Group of Companies; Princess Juliana International Airport; St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association; St. Maarten Timeshare Association; and one member who shall be appointed by the Minister.
The Supervisory Council is entrusted with the supervision over the policy and management of the Board of the foundation, and the general course of affairs of the foundation.
The STA Foundation was incorporated on August 19 by Sint Maarten Harbour Holding Company and the Princess Juliana International Airport Exploitation Company, in the presence of the minister at Notary Office Boekhoudt.
All stakeholders have been informed about the establishment of the foundation.
Jim Rosen, SMTA Secretary had the following to say about the establishment of the STA: "Since the late 1990's we have known that in order to have a sustainable and productive tourism marketing and product development program that we needed to privatize the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau. Knowing where you want to go and finding your way there are two separate challenges.
"Successive Commissioners and Ministers of Tourism have worked on this project with varying levels of commitment over the years, while both the SMTA and the SHTA have maintained steady pressure to have this progressive step realized. 'Form follows function' is an old saying and yet the proper form of what we call today the St. Maarten Tourism Authority, STA, has been, until only recently properly defined.
"TEATT Minister, Ted Richardson and his team have developed a workable solution. The finalization of the STA is awaiting the appointments of the remaining members of the Supervisory Council. It is our fervent hope that this progress will be built upon with solid intentions during the changeover to a new Government."
Minister Richardson along with his Cabinet has been working on finding a solution to the establishment of the STA Foundation since September 2013.
The purpose of the STA Foundation is: to temporarily assist in carrying out the tourism policy of the government of Sint Maarten as a tourist destination and to support the growth of Sint Maarten's land and sea based tourism by providing the public and the private sector with focused, sustainable and productive marketing, and the enhancement of visitor experience.
STA will also assist and guide in, and direct all matters related to tourism, whether upon initiative from the public sector or the private sector.
The STA Foundation will execute the aforementioned tasks until the government has incorporated the STA in the form of a so-called Independent Governing Body (Zelfstandig Bestuursorgaan ZBO), which will immediately upon its incorporation be solely responsible for and solely authorized to execute the aforementioned tasks.
The STA also has an Advisory Committee, which shall have as its sole task to assist the Supervisory Council, at its request with advice on all matters related to the execution of its tasks.
The Advisory Council shall consist of six members who will be as follows: St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Sint Maarten Small Properties Association; St. Maarten Marine Trade Association; an entity representing retailers on Sint Maarten, and during the period such entity does not exist, by the Indian Merchants Association; Dutch St. Maarten Tourist Bureau; and the Tourist Office of Saint Martin (French side).
Both Supervisory and Advisory Councils have been informed of the incorporation of the STA Foundation.
