Different twist
for SMART 2008
PHILIPSBURG--Island hopping and site seeing trips are to be the hallmark of the seventh St. Maarten/St. Martin Annual Regional Tradeshow (SMART) set for May 20-22.
Unlike the previous tradeshows, this year only one day will be devoted to pre-booked appointments between small hotels/tour operators and wholesalers. The appointments are booked in advance with the assistance of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA).
St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) Executive Project Manager/SMART coordinator Robert Durbourq said Wednesday that instead of the usual opening reception, the tradeshow will kick off with a party at Bliss Night Club. This hip twist in the event is already shaking things up among wholesalers who are keen to experience the island’s nightlife and other activities, Durbourq said.
The day of meetings, May 21, will be at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort. For the second day, hoteliers and tourist offices will have the opportunity to give wholesalers a first hand experience of their destination with day trips and site inspections.
SMART caters to the thirteen islands within one hour’s flight from St. Maarten. With the available airlift and allotment of time, trips off island are possible.
The closing reception will he held on the French side at a yet to be determined location.
To date, some 30 companies have already pre-registered to attend SMART, including wholesalers from the United States and Europe – specifically the Netherlands and Switzerland. Durbourq said more wholesalers are expected from across the ocean. As the euro continues to gain strength, the island has been turning its attention to Europe, a trend that is expected to continue, he added.
Attracting more stay over visitors to the island and to neighbouring islands is the main goal of SMART. Locally, stay over business accounts for more than 75 per cent of the annual tourism revenue.
SMART stakeholders: SHTA, Association des Hotels de St. Martin (AHSM), St. Maarten Tourist Bureau and Office du Tourisme, urged hotels, guesthouses and tours operators to get involved in the locally grown tradeshow.
Several sponsors have signed on already to the tradeshow that highlights the north-eastern Caribbean. Interested sponsors can contact Durbourq at SHTA office at 542-0108.
