MARIGOT:---From December 5 to 9, the team of the Tourist Office took a team of travel agents on a tour of discovery of the main attractions of the French side.
They came from the States of New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Wyoming. Last week, seven travel agents came to experience the St. Martin product during an “Eductour” workshop, so that their clients can benefit from their experience acquired in the field, which is always more convincing than a simple travel magazine. The Group was accompanied by Cindy Miller, responsible for representing the Office of Tourism in the United States. On the island, the trio composed of Aida Weinum (head of the United States and South America market), Suzanne Scantleberry and Elsie Marishaw (responsible for promotion in the US market), concocted a varied program for them that included the most beautiful assets of the French side. Narissa Page, a young Saint-Martin intern, enrolled in a BTS in tourism at Argelès-sur-Mer (in France) who has been interning at the Office of tourism for three weeks, took the opportunity to accompany the Group and get involved especially in the follow-up of the visits.
The travel agents inaugurated their stay with a welcome drink at the inevitable Calmos Café at sunset. Accommodated at the Plantation, Riu Palace and at the Grand - Case Beach Club, they’ve mainly occupied their time visiting hotels: Le Mercure, La Samanna, the Petit Hotel, Bleu Emeraudes Résidences, Karibuni Lodge, Marquis Boutique Hotel, and Esmeralda Resort. These VIP visitors also had the opportunity to sample the gastronomic delights for which Saint-Martin is reputed and successively dined at the l’Escapade, the Hidden Forest Café at the Loterie Farm, the Restaurant La Mer du Riu, the Sol E Luna, at the Lolos of Grand-Case and at La Playa; They ended their stay with dinner at the Ti Coin Créole de Grand-Case, where the Caribbean flavors were visibly appreciated.
The travel agents were also able to visit Marigot and Fort Louis, enjoy the Roland Richardson paintings exhibited at La Samanna, discover the activities at Loterie Farm and even enjoyed a relaxing afternoon at the restaurants at Orient Bay. The Office of Tourism prepared a unique experience for them by inviting them to participate in a creative workshop on perfumes, hosted by Tijon. The atypical tourists finally took advantage of the opening of Santa's House in Cripple Gate to immerse themselves, for the length of a visit, in the traditional local festivities.
St. Martin Office of Tourism regularly organizes “Eductours” - or “Fam Trips” - for professionals who promote or sell our destination: travel agents, as well as journalists and bloggers, all markets combined, can familiarize themselves with the tourism product so that Saint-Martin can continue to attract.
