PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten / Saint Martin Annual Regional Tradeshow SMART (14-16th of June) will kick off its new concept "activity afternoon" with a ride on the most special boat of the well-known America's Cup fleet, the vessel Stars and Stripes 87 (12US55).
This was released by the four SMART organizing parties The L’Association des Hoteliers de St. Martin, Saint Martin Tourism Office in conjunction with the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau and St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association. 12 Meters offers a free ride to the first 33 SMART visitors showing interest for the seats available to the four partners.
Built in 1986, the vessel Stars and Stripes 87 (12US55) incorporates all of the knowledge and experience gained from the development of the first three designs. She won the trials to become the official challenger. After 223 individual yacht races, including 48 that included Dennis Conner and Stars & Stripes, she went on to the America's Cup finals against the Australian defender Kookaburra III. Stars & Stripes 87 won 4 races to nil to bring the Cup back to the USA in what is considered by many to be the greatest America's Cup of all time!
SMART provides a unique opportunity for local and regional hoteliers and activities providers to present their tourism product, network and negotiate prospective business opportunities. It has become a very significant event for the entire region in recent years, one that should not be missed.
The offered ride by the Stars and Stripes 87 (12US55) forms part of a new SMART concept called Activity Afternoon. As Sint Maarten / Saint Martin offer a great variety of activities, SMART 2017 looks at paying homage to those as they make a tourist stay extra worthwhile. SMART Visitors are offered the possibility of a free trial to get acquainted with the many activities on offer on both sides of the island. Next to that, for activities, a special "activity vendor alley" is on display during the key event date of June 15th.
Other new concepts launched at SMART 2017 are that of increasing a number of vendors, so more Sint Maarten / Saint-Martin businesses get a chance to meet the sought after market of hotels as well as tour operators, launching a meeting backup service as well as increasing the amount of networking events to three.
Activity Afternoon provides various other trials. Varying from a tour through a lush tropical rainforest at the butterfly farm to one of the new innovations like Marigot Donut Dreams Barbecue Boats towards a Sand Dollar snorkel trip by Aquamania which will let you cruise through the lagoon up to the coast to the French side for snorkeling at Creole Rock. Various options are on offer for both visiting tour operators, press and travel agents as well as local hoteliers and vendors.
Want to attend SMART? Online registration has been opened and attendees are now able to register online. Go to www.shta.com/events/smart for more information and registration.
Do you have any free trials available for hoteliers, please let us know at SMART's back office. This can be done by contacting the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and/or by phone at 542-0108. SHTA looks forward to welcoming all participants to SMART 2017.
