For beach lovers who do not have a lot of time on their hands or want an activity that does not take up too much time, from all the excitement in their trip, the perfect getaway activity can be found in Philipsburg, St. Maarten. In that place you can be taken to Orient beach where you can take your afternoon beach break away from all the busy, thrill seeking tourists. There are cushions and lounging chairs and leave you to yourselves to relax on the beautiful beach. If you decide to take this break, bring something that will help you pass the afternoon away. Maybe some portable music to set the mood or a few snacks to keep yourself satisfied. When it comes to looking for things a beach bum on a tight schedule can do then there is obviously so much that St Maarten has to offer. So, even if you do not have a full day to take part in longer activities, there are always other things that can still make for an exciting and unforgettable vacation.
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According to Travelocity’s second Traveller Confidence Report, nearly half of the more than 2,000 North American respondents (49 per cent) plan to travel more in the year ahead, up from 21 per cent six months ago and just 10 per cent a year ago. Some 44 per cent plans to travel “about the same” and only 7 per cent plans to travel less, down from 34 per cent a year ago and 24 per cent six months ago.
While the majority (56 per cent) did not have a pre-determined travel budget for 2010, 34 per cent of those who do plan to increase it. At the same time an overwhelming 76 per cent is likely to book a vacation package to save money, which indicates that in addition to visitor experience and quality, price is playing an ever-greater role.
The Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) in turn is forecasting a rebound in visitor arrivals with modest growth of up to 3 per cent for the region this year, after the total number went down from 22.9 million in 2008 to 22.1 million last year. That translates to an overall 3.6 per cent decline in 2009 for the 33 CTO member countries, but the quarterly trend was positive, as the 6.6 per cent drop of the first quarter was down to 6 per cent in the second and just 2 per cent in the third, while the fourth quarter actually saw an increase of one per cent.
Realistically, however, one has to conclude halfway through the current high season that in any case it will not have been a great one in St. Maarten/St. Martin. So the real rebound is more likely to come during the 2010-2011 high season, the positive effects of which will be felt mostly next year. This also means “The Friendly Island” again faces a “long, hot summer” that may prove quite difficult for certain businesses and consequently their employees.
In that sense, initiatives that target other, less seasonal markets such as the recent agreement for regular year-round flights from Brazil can help the island get through the low season. Similar efforts in other alternative markets such as Europe with its high euro and tradition of summer vacations abroad are highly recommendable as well.
All in all, it appears the hard times for the entire Caribbean tourism economy are far from over, but there is at least some light at the end of the tunnel. Making sure St. Maarten/St. Martin benefits from this expected upturn remains a priority, along with surviving the still tough months ahead as best possible.
Simpson Bay St.Maarten-Holland’s biggest Reggae Star Ziggi will be opening on Sunday March 7th for a fantastic night of fun on Kim Sha Beach.
Having shot to fame since 2004, with singles like ‘In my Head’, ‘High time’ and ‘Missing the Way’ Ziggi has been compared to many great Reggae artists, and is predicted a bright future in the Music world.
His fame takes him well beyond the borders of the Netherlands, having toured with German Reggae band Gentleman and played at many European concerts. He was recently signed to Jamaican record label VP/Greensleeves, where he is the first European Reggae artist to join their roster.
As a young artist, Ziggi is proving to be socially engaged, as his latest record ‘In Transit’ deals with issues like environment and poverty.
Ziggi now comes back to the Caribbean, which is where he grew up listening to Reggae, Dance Hall and Hip Hop; all of which influences are now deeply intertwined in his melodies.
Having performed on the Boardwalk in Philipsburg at the 2007 regatta, the crowds loved him, and the organizers are very pleased to welcome him back!
Ziggi will be teaming up with Maikal X, also known as Shyrock or Rollarocka. This artist hails from the Netherlands, with his roots in the Caribbean.
Having recently launched his solo-career, Maikal X is no stranger to the party scene where he is known as the tenor of The Postmen. With this group he has had a string of hit singles such as “Cocktail” and “You Wait” taken from their hit debut album “Documents”.
Under the name Shyrock, Maikal X is also known as the MC of Europe’s biggest dancehall and reggae party called “Jamrock”. His MC skills have taken him to many corners of the world, so for Sunday’s show he is expected to bring some upbeat reggae beats to Kim Sha beach.
Both Ziggi and Maikal X will be backed by the Renaissance Band.
Artist booker for the Regatta Michele Ferron is excited; “Ziggi and Maikel X are both very talented young performers, and the perfect act for this event. Their music is diverse and inspired, with a broad appeal. I am sure everyone will be dancing to these sounds on the beach with a cold Heineken in their hands, sailors and locals, young and old. This is exactly what the Regatta parties are all about: a great time, great music and great beer. I know Í am looking forward to the show; it’s going to be Hot!”
In its 30th anniversary year, the final night of this four day event is going to be one to remember. Don’t miss it!
Technorati Profile
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Sint Maarten is a popular stop in the southern Caribbean with an unusual blend of Dutch and French cultures. Nice weather makes the island even more attractive to visitors and long-term vacationers alike.
Sint Maarten is actually the name of the Dutch side of the island, while Saint Martin is the name for the smaller French side. It is the smallest island in the world that is shared between two nations.
But they share the same weather. Visitors to the island’s 37 beaches will find year-round warmth, but they also will find the usual heavy rainfall later in the year when the Caribbean’s annual hurricane season takes place.
The average monthly high temperature is about 86 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Meteorological Service of Netherland Antilles and Aruba. The average monthly low temperature is about 77 degrees.
The monthly high temperatures reach an average of 88 to 89 degrees from June through October. They reach a low of about 84 degrees from December through March, making the island one of the warmest year-round.
The island receives an average of 3.4 inches of rain per month, but with distinct peaks and valleys during the year.
Rainfall averages about two inches per month from January through April, spikes to nearly four inches in May and drops in June and July. In picks up in August and exceeds five inches in September, four inches in October and more than five inches again in November. In fact, St. Maarten is unusual among Caribbean destinations for receiving more rainfall in November than in October or September.
The most popular times to visit are March and April, according to the Caribbean Tourism Organization. The least popular month is September, followed by October.
Based on rainfall totals, the riskiest month to visit St. Maarten is November followed by September and then October. The best months to visit with the lowest risk of heavy rainfall are March, April, June and July.
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No other Caribbean island offers as much diversity as St. Maarten. Formidable mountain ranges meet lush flatlands against the background of spectacular ocean views and breathtaking sunsets. A landing port for some of the world’s largest, exclusive yachts, St. Maarten is a sailor’s dream.
Enjoy duty-free shopping from the world’s finest retailers who have locations throughout the island. A stellar selection of restaurants makes St. Maarten a premier location for fine dining, and the nightlife keeps the island buzzing after dark.
If the beach is your ultimate destination, then lie down on the gleaming white sand or dip into the turquoise waters of the ocean. For those seeking more excitement, St. Maarten is a great place for almost every water sport imaginable. Snorkeling, Scuba diving, surfing and sailing are available on most of the resorts and public beaches.
The discussion about switching from the Antillean guilder to the US dollar in Curaçao and St. Maarten when the Netherlands Antilles ceases to exist has died down somewhat since a symposium on the subject at the end of last year. However, preparations for “dollarisation” continue unabated behind the scenes in financial circles in Willemstad, confirmed director Chicu Capriles of Maduro & Curiel’s Bank (MCB), the parent company of Windward Islands Bank (WIB), during a recent interview on TeleCuraçao.
The banker was quite candid about it, saying the move made sense considering the strong economic ties to the US. He added that the public would be duly informed in due time and every effort would be made for the process to go as smoothly as possible.
Full article can be read here
Source : The Daily Herald St. Maarten
PHILIPSBURG – Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort and Spa has filed a court case against the Island Government contesting the government’s claim that the hotel owes it a large sum of money in unpaid room tax, accumulated since the resort opened in 2006.
An auction of some of the resort’s assets was put on hold in December when legal representatives of Westin and the Island Receiver’s Office worked feverishly to arrive at a deal.
Westin’s lawyer Maarten Le Poole explained that all monies that the Island Receiver said were owed to the government by Westin would be held in escrow until the outcome of a court case that had to be initiated by Westin within 14 days. Le Poole said the case was expected to be called in the next month or two.
The court will decide if Westin has to pay the government or not. Le Poole said Westin would use the “letter of comfort” granted to the resort in 2005 as part of its argument, but it wouldn’t be the resort’s only legal argument. He did not wish to elaborate further at this time.
The Island Receiver had placed a lien on the assets of Westin, citing unpaid room taxes. Westin’s counter to that claim was based partly on a “letter of comfort” it had been granted by the government in 2005 promising that the Room Tax Ordinance would be amended to allow for the resort to be exempted from paying room tax for a period of time. The ordinance has not yet been amended.
Source : The Daily Herald St. Maarten
She has been celebrating her 27th birthday on the island of St Maarten as of late, and yesterday (January 7) Kate Bosworth was spotted returning to Miami International Airport. The “Blue Crush” babe looked lovely as she made her way through the terminal with a female friend, sporting a black and white top with denim shorts.
This is a complete street level map for St Maarten for your iPhone. The entire map is stored on your iPhone, so it works where you have no access to the Internet – it works where Google Maps is inaccessible.
Lets you find all streets, and many useful locations such as ATM’s, parkings, museums, and many others. Remembers where you’ve been so you can find that parking spot where you left your rental car. To make sure your phone doesn’t use any expensive data on your trip, go to Settings, then General, tap on Network, and slide the Data Roaming to “off”.
Requirements:
· Compatible with iPhone and iPod touch
· iPhone OS 3.0 or later
Click here to visit Apple’s Itunes Store to download the map.
See below screen shot from the Itunes store.
St. Maarten Tourism Unveils New Branding Campaign
St. Maarten is focusing on the variety of experiences that vacationers enjoy with a new branding campaign that captures the “feeling of the experience” that visitors elicit during their stay on the island. When announcing the new branding campaign for the destination, St. Maarten Commissioner of Tourism Frans Richardson explained that the concept behind the branding can be summed up with one statement: “It’s all in our name.” Working with the spelling of “St. Maarten,” the just-launched campaign will capture audiences across North America with positive adjectives purposefully misspelled with “capital double ‘A’s” followed immediately by the words “St. Maarten.”
The campaign identity, created by advertising agency Tambourine, will be visible in all logos, videos, print and outdoor advertising, specialty marketing items, brochures and stationary as well as an image gallery which features all new photography from an extensive on-island photo shoot recently completed by Tambourine. Adjectives will constantly be changing depending on the focus of specific ads. For instance, when promoting St. Maarten as a wedding and honeymoon destination, an ad may read: “PAASSIONATE ST. MAARTEN.” When conveying St. Maarten as an active vacation playground, an audience could see: “PLAAYFUL ST. MAARTEN.”
A just-launched public relations campaign to promote winter specials for vacationers is using “SENSAATIONAL ST. MAARTEN” to capture the deals that are now available. Other words designed for the campaign include: MAAGICAL, GLAAMOROUS, CHAARMING, and ENCHAANTING.
“We are very proud of our diversity with a wide range of attractions and activities, a variety of accommodations, more than 300 quality restaurants and our central location which enables vacationers to enjoy day trips to other islands,” said Richardson. “This campaign allows us to tap into and highlight all the things that make St. Maarten an ideal vacation destination through words and phrases that truly represent how a traveler feels while on-island.”
The branding campaign is part of an overall new marketing strategy being launched under the direction of Richardson, which coincides with the hiring of KTCpr, headed up by long-time Caribbean marketing and public relations specialist Richard S. Kahn. The new branding will encompass advertising, public relations, marketing and sales as well as a new website.
“Our mission was to take St. Maarten in a new direction and illustrate how the island ‘feels’ rather than literally documenting the infrastructure of the island,” said Rafael Cardozo, president of Tambourine. “The concept is innovative and playful; the message is strong and memorable. In addition to the logos, the photo collection tells a story of the vacation experiences captured through movement, mood and expression. Most importantly the campaign is a true representation of the beauty and excitement of the destination.”