St. Martin and St. Maarten attend CHTA Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2020
St. Martin’s Tourist Office and St. Maarten’s Tourist Bureau participated at the CHTA Caribbean Travel Marketplace last week, from January 21st – 23rd at Baha Mar in The Bahamas. CHTA’s Marketplace is the Caribbean’s largest tourism marketing event with over 1,000 delegates, tour operators, and suppliers, along with representatives from 28 Caribbean countries in attendance. With a total of 11,000 pre-scheduled appointments, the conference provides multiple networking opportunities that reinforce existing relationships and foster new ones.
St. Martin and St. Maarten took the opportunity of sponsoring
the opening luncheon for this major forum for a second year in a row. Honorable
Valérie Damaseau, 1st Vice President of French St. Martin Territorial Council
and President of St. Martin’s Tourist Office, delivered the keynote address,
sharing with the audience that the island is once again open for business and expecting
a very promising winter season. Her remarks included a message from the
Honorable Rene F. Violenus, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic
and Telecommunication for Sint Maarten, who sent his apologies for being unable
to attend.
The luncheon was extensively branded, with destination
signage and flags of both countries each table, and a promotional video played
on a continuous loop. A group of models representing the destination walked
around the room collecting business cards directly from the delegates.
In addition to the luncheon, there was also a joint press
conference presented by Ms. May-Ling Chun, Director of the St. Maarten’s
Tourism Bureau and
Aïda Weinum, Director of St. Martin’s Tourist Office. The media in attendance
were given updates on the reconstruction developments for the Princess Julianna
International Airport as well as updates on cruises, restaurants and hotel
openings such as the much anticipated Secrets Resorts Spa opening
in March. A full calendar of events as
well as top attractions were also highlighted in the presentation, and the
media was given a USB with all the pertinent information.
“
The team at the St. Martin Tourist Office is optimistic about the expansion of
our tourism product for the year of 2020. Thanks to the support of
our stakeholders, trusted travel partners and media Saint Martin remains a top
Caribbean destination for exciting visitors. Participating in these meetings
not only allows us to network but also to promote new brands that are
opening on island such as Secret Resorts Spa,
Planet Hollywood The Morgan. ” said Aïda Weinum, Director of St.
Martin’s Tourist Office.
During the course of the two-day trade show, the delegation
shared a double booth on the floor of the CHTA Marketplace and met with buyers
worldwide including tour operators and villa wholesalers such as Pleasant
Holidays, Classic Vacations and Apple Leisure Group, and online travel agencies
Booking.com and Expedia. The team took advantage of the opportunity to promote
SMART, Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin’s regional trade show taking place from
May 19th– 21st. The response from both industry partners
and the media was exceptionally positive.
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