PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Small Properties Association (SMSPA) has applauded the decision by the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication to include small properties in its ongoing Strategic Economic Workshops and stakeholder consultations addressing national development priorities. The inclusion of the small properties sector took place today during Day 2, themed “The Future of Tourism, Yachting, Safety & Security,” and featured a panel discussion on “Opportunities and Risks for Tourism Development in St. Maarten.”

The panel brought together representatives from tourism and hospitality, environmental planning, port, safety, and security, underscoring the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in shaping resilient and sustainable tourism development. On the panel representing the small properties sector was Mr. Anastacio Baker of Baker Suites. SMSPA emphasized that the inclusion of small properties is critical to effective tourism policy development. Small and locally owned accommodations play a unique role in community-based tourism, local employment, neighborhood safety, and the overall visitor experience. Their participation ensures that policies and support programs are grounded in operational realities and aligned with long-term sustainability goals. “As President of the St. Maarten Small Properties Association, I attended both Day 1 and Day 2 of the workshops as a representative of the sector and found the discussions to be impactful and forward- looking” said Ms. Nzinga Lake.

“We commend the Ministry of TEATT and TWO/BZK for its leadership in convening a broad range of stakeholders and for intentionally creating space for inclusive dialogue. Such collaborations strengthen policy outcomes and support a more resilient and sustainable tourism sector. SMSPA and its members welcome continued engagement in future consultations on tourism policies and support programs relevant to small and locally owned properties,” said Ms. Lake
About the St. Maarten Small Properties Association (SMSPA):
The SMSPA represents small hotels, guesthouses, and boutique accommodations in St. Maarten. Its mission is to promote sustainable growth, collaboration, and quality service within the hospitality industry while providing visitors with authentic Caribbean experiences.

~Youth Engagement Isn’t Charity, It’s Nation-Building~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The United Nations has officially declared 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers, and Sint Maarten is kicking it off with action, purpose, and youth leadership through the Impact Quest Scavenger Hunt, taking place on Saturday, February 28th, 2026, at SXM Padel Club (PDP Court).
Organized by Volunteer.sx in partnership with the St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF), Foresee Foundation (4C), and the SXM Padel Club, the Impact Quest invites the entire community to join in a day of connection, creativity, and collective impact, while placing a special focus on empowering youth through volunteerism.
Across the world, young people are stepping forward with creativity, compassion, and a strong desire to make a difference. Their involvement in volunteerism is not only shaping stronger communities; it is shaping them into thoughtful, engaged citizens who understand their power to create change. Sint Maarten’s youth are no exception, and through Impact Quest, Volunteer.sx is creating the space and opportunities for them to do so.
The Quest transforms volunteerism into an exciting, hands-on adventure. Teams of up to five participants (ages 15 and up) will complete mini-missions inspired by real acts of service, from planting and painting to serving, sharing, and connecting with local NGOs and community changemakers. The event blends purpose and play, showing that giving back can be both meaningful and fun.
The day will end with a Social Mixer at SXM Padel Club’s newest Port de Plaisance location, featuring music, games, and good vibes to celebrate a day of collective impact and community spirit.
Registration is now open at bit.ly/impactquest. The registration fee is $250 per team, but youth teams (ages 25 and under) have the opportunity to be sponsored by one of Volunteer.sx’s amazing partners, ensuring that cost is never a barrier to participation.
As the world celebrates the International Year of Volunteers, Sint Maarten is setting the tone for a year that celebrates community, collaboration, and youth-led nation-building. Through events like Impact Quest, Volunteer.sx continues its mission to empower youth to serve, lead, and create lasting change, proving that youth engagement isn’t charity, it’s nation-building.
Volunteer.sx is also calling on organizations, businesses, and community partners to support this movement by sponsoring youth teams and investing in the next generation of leaders who will continue to strengthen the island through service.
To register or learn more, visit Volunteer.sx or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM), in collaboration with the Court of Justice, is currently implementing a joint project to address a large number of vehicles confiscated by the police over the past several years.
These vehicles were seized in connection with criminal investigations, including cases in which they were reported stolen or used in the commission of crimes. Following the completion of the necessary investigative and legal procedures, the rightful owners of these vehicles were formally requested to retrieve their property. To date, many of these vehicles remain unclaimed.
The confiscated vehicles are currently stored at the rear of the Government Administration Building on the Soualiga Road. KPSM has made multiple attempts to contact the registered owners through various channels; however, these efforts have been largely unsuccessful.
In an effort to resolve this matter, KPSM, with the support of the Court of Justice staff, has developed a coordinated plan to contact the owners of these vehicles again and provide them with a final opportunity to reclaim their property.
Owners of confiscated vehicles are urged to contact Ms. Joyce Daniel, a support staff member of the Court of Justice, to arrange retrieval. Ms. Daniel's contact information is attached to this release.
Please be advised that vehicles that are not retrieved within the stipulated time-frame will be considered abandoned and will be disposed of in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
KPSM encourages all concerned owners to act promptly to avoid permanent loss of their vehicles.

KPSM Press Release.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Egbert J. Doran is calling for greater policy alignment within the Council of Ministers, stating that public-private partnerships are a valuable and necessary tool for national development but must be applied consistently, including for the benefit of the country’s public schools.

Doran pointed to two recent government positions that, when viewed together, raise legitimate questions about coherence in infrastructure policy. On one hand, the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) announced a partnership with the Gioia Group to rehabilitate the Simpson Bay Dock and surrounding public facilities, highlighting public-private cooperation as a pillar of modern governance, a move he applauds. On the other hand, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) has taken the position that infrastructure works cannot be accepted as donations for public schools, citing liability and accountability concerns.

“We are clearly seeing two different approaches to the same concept,” Doran said. “Public-private partnerships are being embraced as innovative and workable when it comes to economic and public infrastructure, and that is a good thing. It shows that government recognizes it cannot do everything alone. But that same openness must also extend to our schools.”

Doran stressed that his position is not about opposing development initiatives or questioning the value of partnerships in sectors like tourism and maritime infrastructure. Rather, he argues that the same governance capacity used to facilitate large-scale public works should also be used to address long-standing challenges in the education sector.

“If the government can structure agreements, oversight mechanisms, and accountability frameworks for major public assets such as docks and police facilities, then it stands to reason that similar safeguards can be developed for school infrastructure,” Doran stated. “The issue is not whether partnerships work. The issue is where we choose to apply them.”

According to Doran, concerns about liability and quality control raised by the Minister of ECYS, should not become a blanket barrier, particularly when classrooms across the country continue to struggle with heat, aging facilities, and deferred maintenance.

“No one is suggesting unregulated or unsupervised work,” he said. “What parents and teachers are asking for is the same level of creativity and problem-solving that government is already demonstrating elsewhere. If partnerships are good policy, they should be good policy for all critical public needs, including education.”

Doran concluded by urging the Council of Ministers to bring greater consistency to its approach, noting that public-private cooperation should be guided by shared national priorities rather than siloed ministerial interpretations.

“Our development strategy must be balanced,” he said. “Economic infrastructure and educational infrastructure are not competing interests. They are both investments in the future of St. Maarten.”