POINTE BLANCHE:--- Port St. Maarten attended the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Platinum Associate Membership Advisory Council (PAMAC) meeting from June 6-9 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Leading the destination delegation to PAMAC was Acting Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Cornelius de Weever.
During the closing reception of the conference, Port St. Maarten received the baton and opportunity to host the PAMAC Conference to be held in June 2019.
“This is a plus for our country that we will be able to host this very important conference which brings together key decision makers from the cruise lines that operate about 200 ships and have 95 percent of the global ocean cruising capacity. PAMAC is an opportunity for us to grow together as was pointed out at PAMAC 2018 last week.
“I commend the Port St. Maarten Management Team for their hard work which is translating into opportunities for the destination that will have a positive development for all stakeholders concerned,” Minister Cornelius de Weever said on Wednesday.
“The FCCA PAMAC Conference has developed a long history of mutual success for FCCA Platinum Members and Member Lines by bringing together cruise executives and stakeholders to build understanding, relationships and business through an engaging agenda, and I cannot be prouder that this will be on full display in St. Maarten. Not only is the destination deserving because of its remarkable recovery, which will be showcased throughout the event, but St. Maarten has also been a true partner of the FCCA and cruise industry,” Michele Paige, President of the FCCA said on Wednesday.
“The hosting of PAMAC 2019 will be great for hospitality businesses to showcase the true rebound and tours where attendees will be able to rediscover destination St. Maarten/St. Martin.
“At the same time, the Port will be celebrating its 55th cruise anniversary in June 2019,” an ecstatic Port St. Maarten Management said on Wednesday.
Port St. Maarten has been collaborating with key stakeholders such as the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA) in promoting the destination abroad to come and rediscover the island. Meets will be held with various stakeholders in order to prepare for PAMAC 2019.
PAMAC brings together Platinum Members of the FCCA who meet with high-ranking FCCA Member Line cruise executives and top Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) as part of a relationship and business building process.
The PAMAC 2019 Conference is expected to attract 150 delegates, all platinum members, and 10-15 cruise executives and top CEOs.
During the 2018 conference, Port St. Maarten had interactive meetings providing an update about port and destination developments. At the same time, the port delegation learned about the latest industry trends, standards and individual issues and developments that can maximize the benefits of the cruise sector.
“Our cruise numbers have been growing and we want to ensure that the figures continue to grow in the coming months leading into the 2018-2019 high cruise season.
“PAMAC presents an opportunity to network and better understand each other especially when we look at different cruise industry developments,” Port St. Maarten Management Team pointed out.
The PAMAC event is one of many that the FCCA coordinates for its Platinum Members and Member Lines to stay at the forefront of information about both the industry and destinations while finding ways to maximize the benefits for all.
The FCCA is a not-for-profit trade organization composed of 19 Member Lines operating over 100 vessels in Floridian, Caribbean and Latin American waters. Created in 1972, the FCCA’s mandate is to provide a forum for discussion on tourism development, ports, safety, security, and other cruise industry issue and to develop bilateral relationships with destinations’ private and public sectors. By fostering an understanding of the cruise industry and its operating practices, the FCCA works with governments, ports and private sector representatives to maximize cruise passenger, crew and cruise line spending, as well as enhance the destination experience and increase the amount of cruise passengers returning as stay-over visitors.
