Visitstmaarten.com Blog

Penha St. Maarten is currently the largest authorized fragrance and cosmetics retailer on the Dutch side of the island.  Penha’s Management in St. Maarten decided from a strategic position to create its main entrance on the Boardwalk/Beach front side. The location has developed to become a small, cozy and attractive area for duty free shopping. Penha St. Maarten also has a location at the Princess Juliana International Airport, for the exclusive operation of the Fragrance and Cosmetic units in the Departure Hall of the New Terminal building.

Visit them at their two locations on Front Street in Philipsburg and at the Princess Juliana Airport.

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Annually, Kimberly-Clark Health Care rewards their top sales professionals with an all inclusive paid vacation for the sales person and his/her spouse or guest.  The trip is called Club One.  This year they decided to add an element of ‘giving back’ to the community or area where the sales person(s) are visiting.  The project is called “Club One Cares”.  It’s their way of keeping focus on the need to contribute to the communities in which we live, work, and visit.

While they were on the St. Maarten, they refurbished the Little League stadium including painting the bleachers and dugouts; constructed a PVC pipe fence; replaced some lights; and a few other minor improvements.  It was a great opportunity for them to work together and accomplish something to benefit others.

They chose the St. Maarten Little League Association because it is simply a wonderful organization that has served the community over many years.  They wanted to find an organization that touched the many people throughout St. Maarten.  By working with the Little League Association – they are doing just that.

Second, they needed and wanted to find a project that would allow them to work together at one time.  They are concentrating over 500 man hours of volunteer labor during this one project! The site is very accessible, and is conducive to having over 100 painters moving around at once.  The sponsors for this community project are: Sherwin-Williams, Clean St. Maarten, Red Cross, and Rene Florijn Catering services.

Kimberly –Clark was brought here by JNR INCORPORATED. “We are proud to be a part of the team that organized this effort.  All you need to do is stand back and watch the single-minded determination of all 110 Club One winners and guests to paint not only the entire grandstand but every structure on the property to understand the passion that KC brought to the Little League project.”

JNR INC. chose Caribbean concierge Services (CCS)  the local Destination Management Company, to host the group, and coordinate this wonderful community project. “We are proud to be part of this event. This shows that fortune 500 companies coming to the island for incentive trips are not only interested in spending on fun activities, but also community projects” says Caribbean Concierge Services.

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Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) in St. Maarten is the third largest airport in the Caribbean, according to the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association ALTA. ALTA released its updated 2010 Latin America and Caribbean Capacity Analysis on Monday and has PJIA as third largest airport, behind only San Juan Puerto Rico (Luis Munoz Marin International Airport), and Nassau,

Bahamas (Lynden Pindling International Airport). In terms of total departing flights, San Juan moved 62,843, Nassau 28,317 and St. Maarten 25,038 in 2009. Trinidad and Tobago, the US Virgin Islands, Curaçao, the Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Antigua and St. Barths round off the top 10 in order from 4 to 10.

The ALTA report is a comprehensive compendium of the region’s air transport statistics, including a ranking of the most important airports and city pairs in the region in terms of volume and growth.
This year’s results highlight the region’s growth despite being faced with challenges due to the world crisis.

In terms of international flights, St. Maarten ranks second.  St. Maarten also ranks sixth in domestic flights in the Caribbean with 4,567 in 2009. When looking at Latin America and the Caribbean together, St. Maarten ranks eighth in departing international flights.

Excerpts from this article taken from the Daily Herald – July 27th, 2010

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The Shipwreck Shop idea was born in the late sixties, with the shipwreck of a small yacht in a heavy storm on the coast of the Caribbean Island of Antigua. Stranded on this quiet Caribbean island the couple had to find a way to finance their escape, so they started a ‘shipwreck’ shop and decorated the store with wreckage from the yacht.

The concept proved so successful, that the couple expanded the stores throughout the islands and Shipwreck Shops came to the island of St.Maarten.

As the island of St. Maarten grew from a fledgling tourist destination with only a few hotels, to a major player in the Caribbean tourism trade, complete with fantastic duty free shopping, innumerous world class hotels and casinos; Reinier & Lydia Heere grew the company into the major retailer on the island that it remains today. Over the years the stores have became a landmark on the island, and are well known as “the” store for high quality island clothing, souvenir items, gifts and handicrafts.

Check out Shipwreck Shops at their various locations in St. Maarten.

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Hiphop superstar Joseph “Fat Joe” Cartagena was in St. Maarten from July 16 to July 19 to perform at Club 1-Eleven and to shoot a video special at various locations on the island showcasing what makes St. Maarten such a unique tourist destination.

He was accompanied by his personal chef, Mark. They were both invited to Temptation Restaurant by award winning chef Dino Jagtiani where they “cooked up a storm.” Jagtiani said he was pleasantly surprised by Fat Joe’s “culinary expertise.” The video footage will feature hip-hop’s first and only professionally-trained gourmet chef, on a mission around the Caribbean to find the best restaurants and the most authentic island dishes. Chef Mark and Fat Joe will show places on the island to dine, beaches, shopping, nightlife, the local culture and how to travel while being hip at the same time.

The special will run for 30 minutes. “His presence on St. Maarten is in itself an endorsement of our product and the television special he shot with his personal chef Mark will further boost our image as the Gastronomic Capital of the Caribbean,” Dest added. No date has been established for the release of the video.

Excerpts from this article taken from the Daily Herald.

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Local born rapper Shawn “Guesswho” York’s love for his island is shown on the new “37 square miles” T-shirts.

Many students at one point or other during their studies experience homesickness. As a cure, many listen to “island” music, prepare national dishes or generally keep the company of fellow Friendly-islanders.

While studying in the Netherlands, Shawn “Guesswho” York experienced homesickness as well.
As a cure, he wrote and produced the song “37 square miles” (found on the “Hurricane Season” mix tape ). In the video for the song, he wears the original “37 square miles” T-shirt. Known for his wearing of custom hats and tees, this particular T-shirt got major attention.

Printed in red and blue on black is a simple concept and phrase, but the thoughts of nostalgia
and home associated with it are great. Available is a special T-shirt/CD combo. Persons can
purchase a T-shirt and receive the “Hurricane Season Mix tape” at a special price.

Shawn “Guesswho” York, a former student of the Milton Peters College, has been making news on the local rap scene with the release of his first mix tape “Hurricane Season” which was released last year. The follow up to the well-received “Hurricane Season” mix tape is called “SM On My Back” which will be available mid to end July.

“37 square miles” T-shirts and Guesswho’s music can be purchased at DY Entertainment store
located on Plaza 21 Back Street.

Excerpts from this article taken from Out ‘N About – July 22nd, 2010

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Delta Air Lines reported financial results for the June 2010 quarter, including Delta’s net income for the June 2010 quarter of US $549 million. This is a US $748 million improvement year after year, Delta said.
Net income was US $467 million in the June 2009 quarter.

Compared to Curacao, which Delta just dropped from its Caribbean itinerary, the numbers for St.Maarten are impressive for Delta. The airline has been increasing flights during the course of 2010, recording full flights for the majority of the year thus far. There are currently daily flights during the summer, whereas, in the past flights would be cut to one or maximum two flights a week. The possibility exists for the airline to expand to twice-daily flights during the winter/ peak months.

Excerpts from this article taken from The Daily Herald- July 20th

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