PHILIPSBURG--Management of Sunterra Timeshare Resorts reports that it has surpassed its projected occupancy rate for the period January to March 2002.
"I am pleased to admit that we projected 75 per cent for January, February, March, which are busier months historically speaking, and for the first quarter we came in at 82 per cent, so we are doing tremendously right now," General Manager of Sunterra Resorts Jules Carty told The Daily Herald in an exclusive interview.
He explained that prior to the September 11 terrorist attacks on the US, the resort had been averaging 70 to 75 per cent annually, but after the attacks there was a noticeable drop in the occupancy rate.
"Our pick-up started in December," Carty explained. He added that the Resort had aggressively stepped up its marketing campaign in the US where it usually does quite well in rentals. He added that in spite of difficulties from Hurricanes Luis in 1995, Lenny in 1999 and the September 11 attacks on the US, "the owners are coming back to the destination, they are coming home."
According to Carty, it is important to note that although "the airlift is difficult and expensive," the owners are returning to the island. He considers timeshare as one of the pillars of the St. Maarten economy. "There are those proponents who believe we should have a moratorium and I believe that there should be a limit, but in the interim, while we don't have the name brands, timeshare is that support for the economy."
Carty said that through interaction with the guests he had noticed that shortly after the September 11 attacks the guests were skeptical, but with the added measures being put in place by American Airlines, they are becoming more comfortable and they are travelling more.
"They are coming, the owners are coming. More and more you have more owners returning to St. Maarten," Carty stressed.
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