What's Behind St. Maarten's Impressive Tourism Growth

Tourism in St. Maarten has done more than simply rebound. It’s been soaring, as arrivals have surged past pre-pandemic numbers. 

So, it’s no wonder the destination is predicting an especially busy winter season. To get the inside scoop on what’s behind this impressive growth, we spoke with May-Ling Chun, director of tourism at the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau.

What kind of visitor numbers are you expecting for the winter season?

In speaking with various partners around the island, such as Port St. Maarten and the Marine Trade Association, we enthusiastically anticipate a bustling winter season. In recent months, we’ve seen arrival statistics greatly surpass those of our 2019 numbers. In September 2021 alone, arrivals were up by 32% when compared to pre-pandemic levels in that same month, so we are absolutely optimistic that those numbers will continue to climb in late 2021, early 2022 and beyond. 

In September 2021 alone, arrivals were up by 32% when compared to pre-pandemic levels in that same month, so we are absolutely optimistic that those numbers will continue to climb in late 2021, early 2022 and beyond.

Six major U.S. carriers currently fly into St. Maarten from dozens of major cities, and [the] Canadian airlines Sunwing, Air Transat, Air Canada and WestJet are once again taking off to [Princess Juliana International Airport], too. In regards to the cruise industry, which is a vital component of the island’s tourism sector, Port St. Maarten expects a total of 34 homeporting calls this winter. 

What’s attracting so many travelers to St. Maarten? 

St. Maarten has proven [to be] accessible and safe for travelers throughout the pandemic. Our entry protocols are as streamlined as possible, and maintaining the health of our locals and tourists is the utmost priority. Beginning Nov. 1, 2021, the COVID-19 testing requirement for vaccinated travelers was waived, while all non-vaccinated individuals must still show proof of a negative test when arriving.

We also require anyone staying in St. Maarten to purchase the Visitors Protection Plan, which, for just $15, covers expenses in the worst-case event that they were to test positive for COVID-19 while on the island. Between our easy and reassuring entry rules and the optimistic vaccination rates amongst our locals — over 50% as of November 2021 and counting — St. Maarten has continuously remained a hospitable destination for our beloved visitors. 

What else sets St. Maarten apart from other destinations? 

Current trends have shown that travelers are looking to get the absolute most out of their vacations and fully immerse themselves in each destination they visit. And while our island is historically known for its Dutch-French duality, I believe the fact that our tourists receive access to two countries in one has taken on a totally new meaning this past year, because it allows them to truly experience the diversity of Sint Maarten/Saint Martin. Though it’s two countries on one island, each side has its own culture, so you can try out all of our offerings, yet never do the same thing twice.

St. Maarten is also the “hub” of the Caribbean, meaning travelers going to one of our neighboring islands — such as Saba, Anguilla and St. Barts, to name a few — often must stop here first to catch a connecting flight or boat, and we take pride in that.

How important is St. Maarten’s diversity of accommodations? 

St. Maarten is all about having something for everyone, so it’s fantastic to see an increasing amount of accommodation options for our guests. With anything from the new, high-end The Morgan Resort and the locally owned and recently remodeled Bakers Suites, to all-inclusive options at Sonesta Maho Beach and Divi Little Bay Beach Resort, and boutique options such as Holland House Beach Hotel, we’re confident that our visitors can always find a home away from home here. 

What are some of the most popular water-based activities today?

When surrounded by the gorgeous Caribbean Sea, water activities are a must.! Our guests love to hop on a boat and go on half-day excursions, sunset sails, or even take a quick ride to visit one of our neighboring islands. 

Additionally, our location boasts ideal conditions conducive to some of the region's best sailing opportunities that draw in amateur and professional sailors alike. We’re beyond ecstatic for the legendary St. Maarten Heineken Regatta to make its comeback in March 2022 after a pandemic hiatus and welcome visitors from all over the world who come to St. Maarten annually for that event. For those who’d like to learn how to sail, there are a number of schools available on the island, including the Sint Maarten Yacht Club, which offers a variety of lessons for both beginners and experts, all led by experienced instructors. 

How do you help travel advisors sell more St. Maarten? 

Our approach has definitely changed as we realize how much travelers — and subsequently, travel advisors — are craving immersive experiences. We are so fortunate to offer an incredibly diverse range of opportunities to truly see, feel, taste and live St. Maarten, so we incorporate anything from grassroots approaches to dynamic and fresh tools to showcase these experiences to travel advisors in different ways. For example, we’ve hosted a series of unique broadcasts/live streams, where we place the island’s vivacious personalities front- and -center, giving advisors the opportunity to hear about their offerings first hand. 

We also implemented a grand-scale initiative called Travel Agent Months, in which we partnered with participating suppliers on the island, including hotels, excursion operators, stores and eateries, to provide exclusive rates for travel agents to come down to St. Maarten and experience it on their own time —  whenever it fits into their schedule, instead of waiting for a group fam. This flexibility really has resonated well with advisors thus far, and it’s something we absolutely plan to continue.

The Details
St. Maarten Tourism Bureau