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St. Maarten Tourism Providers Host Global Nature Travel Expert.

sxmmore25112015PHILIPSBURG:--- Over the past week, a handful of local tourism providers hosted travel writer, Steve Shunk--associate editor of the online Nature Travel Network, for a whirlwind tour of St. Maarten's terrestrial and marine wildlife habitats. Shunk visited the northern Dutch Antilles--including Saba and Statia--to help promote nature-based tourism in the region.

St Maarten/St Martin is known worldwide for her sun, sand and sea, but the island has much more to offer. Shunk's visit will help expose a growing audience to the nature of St Maarten. "St. Martin has tremendous potential to attract 'non-traditional' Caribbean tourists--those interested in going beyond the beach to discover the island's diverse flora and fauna and to explore its native habitats."

In the United States alone, over 20 million wildlife enthusiasts spend $30 billion a year traveling to watch birds; this includes travel, guides and lodging. "Nature lovers could spend several days exploring St. Martin, with its endemic lizards, exotic hummingbirds, and thriving sea-life," Shunk explained, "and the island's diverse amenities will appeal to a broad spectrum of nature travelers."

Ilja Botha of Sint Maarten's Seagrape Tours added that, "From Autumn through Spring the island is a hub for many migratory birds which come from as far as Alaska.” Botha's birding and nature tours continue to grow in popularity on St Maarten.

stevebotha25112015St Maarten’s Ministry of Tourism wants to diversify St Maarten’s tourism product, and the agency was happy to sponsor part of Shunk's familiarization visit to further develop eco-tourism on the Dutch Leeward Islands. The Oyster Bay Beach Resort and Princess Heights Boutique Hotel both hosted Shunk last week. Ilja Botha, Binkie van Es–avid birder and board member of the St Maarten Nature Foundation–and Mark Yokoyama, author of ‘The Incomplete Guide to the Wildlife of St Martin’ were all delighted to show Shunk St Martin’s birding hot spots, including natural highlights such as Pic Paradis and the island's offshore reefs.

Over the coming weeks, readers can visit www.naturetravelnetwork.com to read Shunk's articles featuring his visit to the three northern Dutch Antilles. Ilja Botha can be reached through her website at www.seagrapetours.com; Binkie Van Es can be reached through the The Nature Foundation, at www.naturefoundationsxm.org. Mark Yokoyama is a regular columnist with The Daily Herald and can be reached through Les Fruits de Mer at www.lesfruitsdemer.com.

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