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Businessman Vincent Doncher received a lifetime achievement award during the gala event organized by the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau to mark World Tourism Day. Doncher, best known as owner of Beach Island Store in Philipsburg, was honored along with five other local St. Maarteners who have contributed to various sectors of the island.

Honored were hotelier and community worker Jacinth Bryan Labega; everyone’s favorite baggage handler and trolley operator at the airport Nestor “Neste” Dunkin, who is a young 70 years of age; businessman and a person to whom many refer as the “father” of the marine industry in St. Maarten Bobby Velasquez; Herve “Baker” Emmanuel famous for “Bakers St. Maarten” mixed drinks; and the late Erwin “Bacco” Richardson for the years he spent developing sports on the island, in particular Little League Baseball and sports tourism.

Although those persons hailed from various backgrounds, the central theme for the evening was “Tourism and Biodiversity,” the international theme for World Tourism Day 2010.

In his address to the gathering, Commissioner of Tourism Frans Richardson said biodiversity must be healthy for tourism to be sustainable. Unfortunately, he said, the world is losing “this remarkable asset at a rather alarming rate due to the fact that we emphasize development at all and any cost.”

He praised the work of local environmental groups for raising awareness, particularly among the youth. “They keep both government and developers on their toes, obliging them to consider both the short-term and long-term. Invited guests, from media to environmental workers, were treated to appetizers and dinner, entertained by MC Beau Beau and by Connis  Vanterpool and his band. Tourist Bureau head Regina Labega also delivered her World Tourism Day address.

Excerpts from this article taken from the Daily Herald September 28th, 2010

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The world’s three largest and newest cruise ships – Oasis of the Seas, Carnival Dream and Norwegian Epic – will be in port today, Tuesday.  Only Norwegian Epic was scheduled to be in port today. Due to the severe ocean conditions generated by Igor, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL) and Carnival Corporation decided to re-route their ships a day earlier to St. Maarten for passenger and ship safety.

The two cruise ships coming into port early means that the island’s cruise passenger arrivals will not dip due to the passing of the hurricane. Together, the three ships account for more than 13,152 passengers and some 5,000 crew members. Oasis of the Seas and Carnival Dream making their calls early, instead of cancelling the regular Wednesday calls means that not only would the island’s arrival numbers not be affected but that needed revenues will still come in, said St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies CEO Mark Mingo.

He said St. Maarten continues to be a premier cruise destination and what also counts for the two early port calls is that they come from two of the island’s main partners in the industry. Carnival and RCCL partnered with St. Maarten to ensure the upgrade of Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities could become a reality.

St. Maarten hosted its millionth cruise passenger for the year on August 21, the first time that milestone was reached so early in the year.

“Excerpts taken from the Daily Herald”

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Panamanian carrier Copa Airlines has confirmed that it will start service to St. Maarten in December, Commissioner of Tourism Frans Richardson announced Tuesday. The Commissioner said he was “elated” that Copa had agreed to service the destination, a testament to St. Maarten’s potential for the airline and standing in the Northeastern Caribbean.

“More business for the island means more work for our people and significant contribution to our economy.  The effort of this administration, our tourist office and others is paying dividends in attracting new carriers to St. Maarten,” he said.

Copa is the third airline the Commissioner has secured for St. Maarten since taking office in July 2009.    WestJet out of Canada and GOL out of Brazil are the other two. Richardson and St. Maarten Tourist Bureau head Regina Labega met with Copa’s International Sales Director Adolfo Sen last week Wednesday.  The flight will be a direct one from Panama City, Panama, servicing the island twice weekly.  It will arrive on Tuesdays and Fridays at approximately 4:50pm.

St. Maarten will commit US $1 million in pulling and pushing the new market, while other promotions will be executed cooperatively with Copa. The new flight will be for an 18-month introductory period and both parties expect demand for the route and the flight to grow based on projections.

Sonesta Maho and Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resorts have already indicated that they will work with Copa In terms of packages rates. “Copa is part of our continuing effort to attract new businesses to St. Maarten.

“Excerpts from this article taken from the Daily Herald”

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