PHILIPSBURG:--- In a bold and energized push to further stimulate regional tourism, the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB), in collaboration with the French St. Martin Tourism Office, hosted a high-impact Familiarization (Fam) Trip that brought 10 influential travel agents from Guadeloupe, Martinique, Curaçao, and Trinidad back to the heart of the Caribbean.

This initiative is part of a growing strategy to tap into the booming intra-Caribbean travel market, which has seen a 30%+ surge in regional flight bookings over the past two years. According to the Caribbean Tourism Organization, over 5 million residents of the Caribbean travel within the region annually, making this a lucrative segment.

“This Fam Trip wasn’t just a tour—it was a revelation,” said Gina Illidge, Marketing Officer from the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau. “Some of these agents hadn’t been to the island in over a decade, and what they experienced further enhanced their impression of St. Maarten-St. Martin as a top destination.”

The immersive itinerary showcased several hotels across the island; ranging from boutique beachfront escapes and budget-friendly amenities, to luxury resorts, giving the travel agents a firsthand look at the island’s diverse hospitality offerings. They were also treated to a curated culinary journey featuring a hosted breakfast, delectable lunch, dinner and cocktails, all infused with local flavors and mesmerizing views —demonstrating the island’s well-earned reputation as the "Culinary Capital of the Caribbean."

With regional travelers now seeking shorter-haul, culture-rich escapes within a safe travel environment, destinations like St. Maarten-St. Martin are uniquely positioned to deliver. “This is a new era for regional travel. We’re not just promoting our beloved destination—we’re reigniting regional pride, purposeful travel experiences, and cross-cultural connections," said Jacqueline Louis, STB's Caribbean Agent. 

Feedback from the attending agents was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing renewed confidence in selling the destination. Several agencies have already begun crafting new vacation packages to St. Maarten tailored specifically for Caribbean clientele.

This collaborative Fam Trip marks a powerful reminder: when French and Dutch St. Martin-St. Maarten unite, the whole island wins.

For more information, please contact STB’s Caribbean Agent: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Honorable Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs, Dr. Luc Mercelina, officially opened the bilateral meeting between the Social Economic Councils (SER) of Aruba and Sint Maarten, held in Philipsburg from June 17 to 19, 2025. During his visit to the SER, the Prime Minister was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Stuart Johnson, and the Secretary-General of the Ministry of General Affairs, Mr. Hensley Plantijn.

 In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Mercelina underscored the critical importance of mutual cooperation, institutional dialogue, and the structured exchange of best practices among advisory bodies within the Dutch Caribbean. He reiterated the need for sustained collaboration aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and enhancing the quality of evidence-based policy advice throughout the region.

Over the course of the three-day meeting, deliberations focused on several pivotal themes, including the independence of advisory institutions, the nature and scope of advice requests from respective governments, and strategies to promote more robust stakeholder engagement. Particular emphasis was placed on aligning advisory processes with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially those related to equality and inclusion. Participants also raised shared concerns regarding the limited availability of reliable socio-economic data, which continues to impede the formulation of timely and impactful policy recommendations. In response, both councils pledged to pursue regional partnerships and initiate joint research efforts to address existing data gaps and improve the overall quality of advisory output. The engagement proved to be a valuable opportunity to strengthen inter-institutional ties, exchange knowledge, and develop forward-looking strategies. The SER of Sint Maarten stands to benefit from the extensive expertise of SER Aruba, which will commemorate its 40th anniversary in 2027.

The meeting concluded with a renewed and explicit commitment to long-term cooperation aimed at fostering resilient societies built on inclusive, transparent, and participatory policymaking processes. The SER of Sint Maarten extends its appreciation to SER Aruba and expresses its sincere gratitude to the Honorable Prime Minister, Dr. Luc Mercelina, for his contributions to this important regional dialogue.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On the occasion of the International Day of Parliamentarism, the President of Parliament of Sint Maarten delivered a compelling address reflecting on fifteen years of the country’s parliamentary democracy.

In her remarks, the President acknowledged the strides Sint Maarten’s Parliament has made since 2010 but also pointed candidly to the challenges that continue to undermine public trust, including party hopping, weak coalition frameworks, and outdated electoral systems.

“Fifteen years ago, we dreamed of a Parliament that would stand strong for the people,” the President said in her speech. “And yes, we have made strides. But we must also be honest with ourselves: too often, the trust that should firmly connect this Parliament to the people feels strained and uncertain. The next fifteen years must not look like the last — they must be better.”

Highlighting the need for decisive electoral and constitutional reform, the President urged Members of Parliament and the wider public to focus on building systems that protect the voice of the people and support long-term national development.

Key reforms emphasized include measures to discourage party hopping, a review of the proportional representation system, and a commitment to more transparent and principled politics.

“Reform should never protect Parliament from the people — it must protect the people’s voice inside Parliament,” the President affirmed.

Looking ahead, the President called on all branches of government and society to embrace openness, transparency, and genuine dialogue as Sint Maarten navigates challenges such as climate change, digitalization, and economic diversification.

The speech marks both Sint Maarten’s recognition of the International Day of Parliamentarism and a milestone celebration of fifteen years since the establishment of its Parliament.

The Hague:--- While President Trump left The Hague after the NATO summit on Wednesday evening, entrepreneurs and professionals gathered at the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary of Curaçao for an inspiring networking event organized by the Caribbean Business Hub (CBH).

The evening was opened by chairman Nico de Visser, who emphasized CBH's ambitions: stimulating entrepreneurship, from inspiring circular projects and investment funds to innovative (franchise) formulas on all the Caribbean islands and Latin America. CBH achieves this by informing, facilitating, supporting, and most importantly, matching. New is their online marketplace for business acquisitions, financing requests, and real estate opportunities. Personal contact remains the beating heart of their approach during networking events.

Next year, the ambition will grow further when CBH organizes the Caribbean & Latin Village: a large fair for entrepreneurs, franchisees, hospitality tycoons, real estate agents, service companies, stakeholders, and investors. Exhibitors and sponsors can already respond now.

Architect George Polman, director of AG Architects in Haarlem, the Netherlands, gave an impressive keynote, which he began in Papiamento – a powerful signal about the importance of cultural alignment in international business. He presented very inspiring megaprojects on Bonaire. They range from exclusive, colorful villas and mansions in Caribbean style to creating new destinations for old buildings, as well as high-quality social housing with the same characteristic look. According to George Polman, social enterprises have a significant positive impact on society. By also building high-quality homes for the less fortunate, the gap between rich and poor is narrowed.

Then, Mrs. Penningston pitched her Curaçao company, a striking example of Caribbean entrepreneurship making the leap to the European market. She talked about Blue Curaçao liqueur, which was invented and developed on the island itself in 1896. The tamarind liqueur, their tropical surprise, was also presented during the liqueur tasting.

The evening was concluded by Minister Plenipotentiary Carlson Manuel, who encouraged attendees to actively seek opportunities on the islands and emphasized that entrepreneurs are welcome on all the Caribbean islands, particularly on Curaçao.

With a tropical buffet, good conversations, and a constructive atmosphere, the event was once again a success. The next CBH networking event is scheduled for Tuesday, September 30, 2025.