Did You Know…? “Friendly Island” St. Maarten’s Hospitality Workforce Receives Continuous Training!
Some years ago, research was conducted to discover why St. Maarten has so many returning visitors. One of the key factors that keeps visitors coming back is the island’s welcoming hospitality. If you are one of those frequent resort, boutique hotel, villa or cruise visitors, no surprise here – you will know that the island is proudly known for decades as “The Friendly Island.”
But this great reputation is not something that only happens naturally. There are always new ways to understand guests and serve them even better. Just like any other skill, hospitality can be continuously improved through training, experience, and new insights.
For more than half a century, the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA) has been committed to supporting the development of the island’s hospitality and business sectors by providing a variety of training opportunities. These programs help employees strengthen their professional skills, build confidence, and take their abilities to the next level.
In 2024, the SHTA Academy was established to bring greater structure to its training offerings. In collaboration with former SHTA and SMTA President Liesa Euton, customer service and supervisory training courses at various levels became an integral part of the Academy’s curriculum. However, the training programs offered by Liesa, fellow hospitality trainer Raju Sajnani, and other trainers cover a much broader range of topics than customer-facing skills alone.
The Academy’s courses are deliberately affordable and open to everyone. Its mission is not only to encourage the professional growth of current hospitality and business employees but also to provide valuable opportunities for those aspiring to enter these industries.
In addition to its affordable course fees, the Academy regularly offers free training opportunities to local NGOs, supporting the wider community and the many great nonprofit initiatives on the island.
While a variety of SHTA Academy courses take place throughout the year, a new series dedicated specifically to hospitality is scheduled for June and July 2027. Take a look at the upcoming program below! And here’s another thing worth knowing: Whether you are a visitor, resident, or digital nomad looking for high-quality, affordable professional training while on the island, you are welcome to participate! For more information or to inquire about upcoming training opportunities throughout the year, feel free to contact us at info@shta.com.
