St. Maarten Tourism Authority Foundation Now a Reality for Destination Marketing

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Ted Richardson announces that the long overdue Sint Maarten Tourism Authority (STA) is now a reality after the STA Foundation was incorporated on Tuesday, August 19 by Sint Maarten Harbour Holding Company and the Princess Juliana International Airport Exploitation Company, in the presence of the minister at Notary Office Boekhoudt.

“This is a momentous occasion, a historic development for the country with respect to marketing the destination. It has been a project that has been worked on by many before me over the past decade or more.

“Both ports of entry are the gateways to our country and continue to play a very important role and contribute to the development of the country. The multi-million dollar investments made in both ports signify their role in our economy because without them, we would not have a tourism industry.

“The STA Foundation is to jump start a process that has taken many years to achieve. All those in the various councils within the STA Foundation structure are there to represent destination Sint Maarten, not their own interests, but that of the destination.

“Now destination Sint Maarten and all those working in the tourism sector and indirectly can feel this great accomplishment which was very long overdue, and now has become a reality. Clear marketing guidelines and the necessary funds behind it will result in a new marketing push for the destination.

“All primary business sectors and actors have called for the establishment of the STA, and have stated how important it is for the country, and today it is a reality,” Minister Hon. Ted Richardson stated on Wednesday after all stakeholders had been informed about the establishment of the foundation.

Minister Richardson along with his Cabinet has been working on finding a solution to the establishment of the STA Foundation since September 2013.

The Council of Ministers approved the establishment of the STA Foundation and the Minister had the authority to establish the STA under his ministry prerogatives.

The purpose of the STA Foundation is: to temporarily assist in carrying out the tourism policy of the government of Sint Maarten as a tourist destination and to support the growth of Sint Maarten’s land and sea based tourism by providing the public and the private sector with focused, sustainable and productive marketing, and the enhancement of visitor experience.

STA will also assist and guide in, and direct all matters related to tourism, whether upon initiative from the public sector or the private sector.

The STA Foundation will execute the aforementioned tasks until the government has incorporated the STA in the form of a so-called Independent Governing Body (Zelfstandig Bestuursorgaan ZBO), which will immediately upon its incorporation be solely responsible for and solely authorized to execute the aforementioned tasks.

STA Foundation will have a Supervisory Council consisting of five members whose appointment will be made by: Harbour Group of Companies; Princess Juliana International Airport; St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association; St. Maarten Timeshare Association; and one member who shall be appointed by the Minister.

The Supervisory Council is entrusted with the supervision over the policy and management of the Board of the foundation, and the general course of affairs of the foundation.

There will also be an Advisory Committee, which shall have as its sole task to assist the Supervisory Council, at its request with advice on all matters related to the execution of its tasks.

The Advisory Council shall consist of six members who will be as follows:
St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Sint Maarten Small Properties Association; St. Maarten Marine Trade Association; an entity representing retailers on Sint Maarten, and during the period such entity does not exist, by the Indian Merchants Association; Dutch St. Maarten Tourist Bureau; and the Tourist Office of Saint Martin (French side).

Both Supervisory and Advisory Councils have been informed of the incorporation of the STA Foundation.

L to R, standing, Chef de Cabinet Ludwig Ouenniche, Minister Hon. Ted Richardson looking on after the signing of the STA Foundation incorporation documents which was done by Port St. Maarten Chief Executive Officer Mark Mingo and SXM Airport Managing Director Regina Labega.