St. Maarten Welcomes 350 Colombian Travelers Through Wingo’s Mystery Trip
St. Maarten is hosting approximately 350 travelers from Colombia as part of Destino Oculto 3, an initiative by airline Wingo that keeps the destination secret until passengers arrive. The group landed on October 22 for a four day visit running through October 25, bringing attention to the island as a destination for the South American travel market.
The visit was coordinated through collaboration between Princess Juliana International Airport, the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau and the Office du Tourisme de Saint Martin. The project combines air travel with destination promotion, introducing visitors to an island shared by two distinct cultural communities.
A mystery trip from Colombia to the Caribbean
Destino Oculto allows passengers to book an international trip without knowing where they will be travelling until the destination is revealed. Its third edition brought participants from Bogotá and Medellín to St. Maarten for three nights.
The concept offers travelers an alternative to conventional holiday planning, while giving the destination an opportunity to reach people who may not previously have considered visiting. For this edition, the experience is built around the island’s Dutch and French sides, with their different cultural influences and range of visitor experiences.
The arrival on October 22 marked the end of several months of preparations involving the airport and tourism organizations on both sides of the island. The travelers are scheduled to remain until October 25.
St. Maarten looks toward the South American market
The initiative comes as Princess Juliana International Airport continues to pursue opportunities to expand its presence in South America. According to the airport, projects involving airlines and tourism authorities can help introduce the destination to new audiences and support the development of international air connections.
Suzy Kartokromo, Aeronautical Business Manager at Princess Juliana International Airport, described the arrival as the result of months of coordination between the island’s tourism partners.
“We have been working closely with our tourism partners on both sides of the island for several months to make this project a reality. It has been an exciting journey, particularly knowing that we were preparing to welcome hundreds of travelers who had no idea where they were going. To finally see the aircraft arrive and reveal that Sint Maarten is the hidden destination is an incredibly proud moment for everyone involved. This collaboration demonstrates what we can accomplish when aviation and tourism work together toward a shared goal.”
Airport Chief Executive Officer Michael Cleaver also pointed to the importance of attracting travelers from South America. He said initiatives such as Destino Oculto 3 provide an opportunity to introduce visitors to the island and potentially encourage future trips.
Why the Colombian market matters for St. Maarten
Welcoming a group of this size gives St. Maarten an opportunity to increase its visibility among Colombian travelers and introduce them to the island beyond its established visitor markets. Cooperation between the airport and tourism authorities on both sides also demonstrates how destination promotion can extend across the island’s administrative boundaries. If the experience encourages repeat visits or wider interest, it could help support tourism businesses and strengthen St. Maarten’s appeal in South America.
One island, two cultural identities
St. Maarten and Saint Martin share one Caribbean island, with the Dutch side and the French side offering different cultural settings. This cross island character is central to the theme of the Wingo initiative, which presents the destination as a combined experience rather than focusing on only one side.
For visitors arriving from Colombia, the stay provides an opportunity to experience the island firsthand. The organizers have positioned the visit around the range of experiences available across both territories, although the source announcement does not specify the group’s detailed itinerary or the individual activities planned during the three night stay.
The airport’s role extends beyond receiving international flights. As a major entry point for visitors, it works with tourism partners to support connections that bring travelers to the island and contribute to its tourism economy.
The Colombian group is scheduled to depart on October 25, concluding its four day Destino Oculto experience in St. Maarten.
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