February 16, 2026 No comments
CARNIVAL 2026 VENDING APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic & Telecommunication (TEATT) hereby informs the public that applications for Carnival 2026 vending in Philipsburg are officially open as of Monday, February 16th, 2026. Booth Placement For the 2026 Carnival season, vending booths will be permitted only along the designated stretch between Ketty’s Kitchen and Fat Boy Jimmy’s Grill. Please be advised that food trucks will not be permitted to operate along W.J. Walter Nisbeth Road (from GEBE onward) this year. Application Collection Applications can be downloaded online (see below) or collected in person at the Department of Economic Licenses’ Service Desk (window B), Government Administration Building during the following hours: Daily: 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM Collection period: February 16th through February 23rd, 2026 Submission Deadline ...
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February 15, 2026 No comments
CPS: Protect Your Heart. Small Daily Choices Can Save Lives
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY (DCOMM) – The Collective Prevention Service (CPS) says heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, but the good news is that many heart conditions are preventable. Public health officials are encouraging residents to take proactive steps toward maintaining heart health through simple, consistent lifestyle habits and regular medical checkups. The heart is a powerful muscle that works around the clock to circulate blood and oxygen throughout the body. However, poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, high stress, and unmanaged medical conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes can place significant strain on the heart over time. These risk factors can lead to heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes if not...
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February 15, 2026 No comments
Minister of VSA continues Anti-Bullying & Youth Mental Health Campaign in Schools
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) has officially launched his 2026 nationwide Anti-Bullying and Youth Mental Health Awareness Campaign, aimed at promoting safe, inclusive, and supportive school environments across Sint Maarten. As part of the campaign, Minister Brug will be visiting various primary and secondary schools to engage directly with students and educators on the impact of bullying and the importance of mental health awareness among youth. These school visits are intended to encourage open dialogue, empathy, and positive peer relationships. A key feature of the campaign is the Youth Mental Health Awareness video, which addresses bullying, emotional wellbeing, and the importance of speaking up. The video features local youth and includes a...
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February 15, 2026 No comments
Government Assigns STAF to Lead Establishment of the STA
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication, Grisha Heyliger‑Marten, has formally assigned the Sint Maarten Tourism Authority Foundation (STAF) to lead the process of establishing the Sint Maarten Tourism Authority (STA) as an independent ZBO. The assignment will begin on March 1st, marking a significant step toward modernizing the country’s tourism governance structure. The announcement follows the recent Economic Stakeholder Consultation, where businesses, workers, and community representatives expressed the need for a more coordinated, data‑driven, and future‑focused approach to tourism development. The Minister noted that the Government is responding directly to these concerns, particularly regarding traffic congestion, infrastructure pressure, and the risks associated with unmanaged mass tourism. “This is the moment to reshape the future of...
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February 15, 2026 No comments
BTP partners with Caribbean Cyber Security Center to strengthen Security in telecom & utility sectors
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Bureau Telecommunications and Post St. Maarten (BTP) has announced a partnership with the Caribbean Cyber Security Center (CCSC) of Barbados to develop a comprehensive Cyber Security policy and legal framework for Sint Maarten’s critical telecommunications and utility sectors. This collaboration aims to strengthen the protection of essential infrastructure, ensuring the reliability and security of services that residents depend on every day. The engagement will focus on proper classification of critical infrastructure, mandating controls to ensure compliance, defining oversight mechanisms, and enforcing adherence to regulatory standards. As part of the project, CCSC will conduct a situation analysis of the current telecom and utility landscape, create a tiered policy framework with mandatory and recommended measures for telecom and...
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