THE NETHERLANDS (THE HAGUE) – The Sint Maarten community in the Netherlands came together on Saturday, November 8, for a vibrant celebration of St. Martin’s Day 2025 at De Broodfabriek in Rijswijk.

The event, themed “Sankofa: Learning from the Past to Build for the Future”, drew hundreds of Sint Maarteners, students, professionals, and friends of the island for a day filled with cultural performances, local vendors, music, and island spirit.

Hosted by the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary and Small Island Unity (SIU), the event featured a diverse program including live steelpan performances, a traditional brass band, cultural dances, and Caribbean artists such as Ebony Empress, Big Mac, and DJ Bean. Guests enjoyed island cuisine, art displays, and a lively atmosphere that captured the essence of Sint Maarten.

In her speech, Her Excellency Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell, Minister Plenipotentiary, reflected on the significance of the day and the importance of unity within the diaspora.

“Today, we celebrate not only the beauty and resilience of our island, but the spirit of unity that binds us, One island, One people, two nations, yet one heart,” she said. “Our diaspora is not a distant community, it is an untapped asset, full of talent, innovation, and belonging that Sint Maarten needs now more than ever.”

During her speech, Minister Arrindell highlighted the Cabinet’s recent accomplishments, including the launch of the Sint Maarten Diaspora Database, aimed at connecting students, young professionals, and entrepreneurs across the Netherlands and beyond.

The minister also emphasized continued investment in youth programs such as the Cari-Aire Internship Program and academic collaborations with Dutch universities.

“Through these initiatives,” Minister Arrindell added, “we are strengthening the bridge between home and abroad, ensuring that Sint Maarteners everywhere remain part of our nation’s story.”

As the rhythms of bouyon and Soca filled the hall, the celebration served as both a joyful reunion and a reminder of the enduring strength of small island communities around the world.

According to visitor Candy Hazel it was a success: “Over the past two years, I’ve seen the visibility of Sint Maarten in the Netherlands grow tremendously. This celebration was once again amazing!”

Her Excellency Minister Plenipotentiary Drs. Gracita Arrindell speaking to the Sint Maarten diaspora in attendance at St. Martin’s Day 2025.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Diabetes Foundation of Sint Maarten (DFS) is celebration November the Diabetes Month. On November 14 is International Diabetes Day.

The DFS program for Diabetes Month:

November 3, past Monday DFS tested seniors at the John Larmonie Center where about 165 seniors were tested and about 95 seniors this morning. Our tests consist of checking the Glucose level, Hypertension, Cholesterol and body Mass Index (BMI).

November 8, DFS will be testing at the Carrefour Supermarket at Bush Road from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon.

November 14, International Diabetes Day DFS is organizing together with the Collective Prevention Service (CPS) a Symposium at John Larmonie Center where the general public is invited to come.

The symposium starts at 6.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. where DFS will be having doctors and medical staff, Dietitian, Diabetic nurse and specialist to come and speak about the Diabetes and their consequence.

November 15, DFS will be organizing a walkathon starting at Belair Center to go to Philipsburg and back via Bush Road to the Belair Center.

The walkathon will start at 6.00 am where WIEMS will be available for any help needed during the walkathon, and DFS will also have water-post during the walkathon.

November 22, DFS will be testing at the LIONS DEN where the Leos are organizing a health fair during the day.

All DFS events are free for the general public in support of Diabetes care and prevention here in St. Maarten.

“We would like to encourage the general public to continue testing on a regular basis, because you might have Diabetes and don’t know.

“Our aim as a foundation is to continue giving the necessary support and care to prevent Diabetes and increasing awareness on its consequences to the general public of St. Maarten.

“We would therefore welcome your presence at the symposium on International Diabetes Day on November 14 and your participation at our walkathon on November 15,” DFS said in a press statement on Thursday.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Department of Statistics (STAT) reports continued positive developments in the tourism sector for the second quarter of 2025.

Airport Passenger Arrivals Up

Because of the change in methodology, direct comparisons with data from previous years cannot be made.

To maintain some level of continuity during this transition and following the advice of PJIAE, STAT used the January to December 2024 airport arrival figures as a baseline, adjusted by deducting 10% to account for resident travelers. This adjustment is consistent with historical Immigration Office data collected over the past decade.

It should be noted that PJIAE has not traditionally served as the Department’s primary source for visitor arrival data, since their system provides only aggregated passenger counts and does not differentiate between residents and non-residents.

Although the methodologies differ, the adjusted 2024 estimate (using a deduction of 10% accounting for St. Maarten residents) provides a reasonable benchmark for approximate comparison. Without such an adjustment, only the total number of visitor arrivals in 2025 could be presented, without the context of growth figures or year-over-year changes.

Given the above-mentioned, St. Maarten recorded 209,876 airport passenger arrivals in Q2 2025. This represents a 16.9% increase compared to 179,552 for the same period in 2024.

This growth underscores the improved accuracy and reliability of arrival records, which are now based on consistently applied criteria that exclude Sint Maarten residents, transit passengers, and transfer passengers. STAT uses these figures as the official benchmark for passenger movements through Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE).

Cruise Passengers Arrivals Up
The cruise sector also posted similar results in Q2 2025. Preliminary data show that 236,391 cruise passengers arrived between April and June 2025, an increase of 14% compared to the 207,428 recorded during the same quarter in 2024.

This growth underscores St. Maarten’s position as a thriving port of call in the Caribbean.

Tourism Sector Outlook
Together, both air and cruise tourism indicators highlight a healthy and growing industry. Passenger movements provide insight into overall visitor traffic through the airport, while cruise arrivals reinforce St. Maarten’s strength as a hub for day visitors.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY, (DCOMM) – On Friday morning August 15, 2025, Tropical Storm Erin was upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane. Hurricane Erin is the first hurricane for the season, and it continues to make its way across the eastern Atlantic Ocean towards the Leeward Islands.

The Meteorological Department of Sint Maarten (MDS), said on Friday that a Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Sint Maarten until further notice. A watch is issued when tropical storm conditions of sustained winds of 39 to 73 miles per hour are possible within a specified area within 48 hours.

MDS says Erin is expected to pass at its closest point approximately 150 miles north of Sint Maarten on Saturday, August 16, 2025.

The Government of Sint Maarten is advising all residents and visitors to take immediate precautionary measures as Hurricane Erin, the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season, moves west-northwest in the direction of the St. Maarten.

As of the 11:00 a.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Erin is a Category 1 hurricane located at 18.2° N, 56.1° W, approximately 460 miles east of the St. Maarten, with maximum sustained winds near 75 mph.

In preparation for the potential impact, all Government offices will close today at 12:00 p.m. This decision is to allow civil servants time to secure their homes and ensure the safety of their families. The closure of the private sector remains at the discretion of individual employers.

The public is urged to:

Secure all outdoor items, including furniture, construction materials, and garbage bins.

Remove or dismantle billboards, banners, and temporary signage to prevent them from becoming dangerous projectiles.

Clear drainage ditches and yard gutters to reduce flood risk.

Stock up on essential supplies including potable water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, and batteries.

Avoid unnecessary travel once weather conditions begin to deteriorate.

Business owners should secure storefront glass, ensure signage is firmly anchored or removed, check rooftop installations, and ensure backup power sources are functional and fueled.

Visitors are advised to follow all guidance from their accommodation providers, avoid beaches from tonight onward due to high surf and dangerous rip currents, and monitor official communications from the Government, the Meteorological Department of Sint Maarten and the office of Disaster Management.

Based on the NHC forecast, tropical storm conditions are possible in Sint Maarten as early as Saturday morning, August 16, with winds between 40–50 mph and gusts up to 60 mph possible. Rainfall totals of 2–4 inches, with isolated amounts up to 6 inches, may result in flash flooding and localized landslides in vulnerable areas. Seas are expected to reach 10–15 feet, creating dangerous surf and rip currents along east- and north-facing shores.

Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina stated, “The safety of our people and visitors is our highest priority. While the forecast indicates that Hurricane Erin will pass north of our island, the potential for strong winds, heavy rains, and rough seas is very real. We must be prepared at all times as we in the peak of the hurricane season.”

He further urged timely action, “I am calling on residents and business owners to secure their properties, remove loose items, and follow all official advisories. The time to prepare is now, not when the winds begin to blow. Together, we can reduce the risks and protect lives.”

PM Dr. Mercelina also addressed the private sector, “While the decision to close remains with individual employers, I encourage businesses to consider early release, so employees have time to make their homes safe and assist their families. Preparedness is a shared responsibility.”

Residents and the business community should continue to monitor the progress of Hurricane Erin and to make sure their property is storm/hurricane ready.

Monitor local weather reports from MDS: www.meteosxm.com or visit their social media page Facebook.com/sxmweather/ in connection with the approach of the weather system.

For more information on hurricane preparedness and to find a list of official resources, please visit the Government website: www.sintmaartengov.org/hurricane where you will be able to download your “Hurricane Season Readiness Guide’ and “Hurricane Tracking Chart” or you can use the following link: https://shorturl.at/VbaxC

Listen to the Government Radio station – SXMGOV 107.9FM - for official information and news before, during and after a hurricane. You can also follow weather related news and information as well as national addresses by the Prime Minister, chairperson of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) by going to @SXMGOV Facebook Page.

Remember, it only takes one hurricane to make it a bad season. Remain vigilant and prepared!