SINT MAARTEN/MIAMI, Fla. – After a historic 2024 that shattered visitor records and delivered transformative advocacy wins, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), is setting the stage for meaningful progress and development for the industry and its members. Sanovnik Destang, Executive Director of Bay Gardens Resorts and President of CHTA, unveiled a bold vision for 2025 centered on innovation, sustainability, and collaboration—promising to position the region as a global leader in tourism and economic development.

A Year of Growth and Resilience

“The Caribbean achieved unparalleled success in 2024, thanks to the collective strength of our community,” said Destang. “We recorded historic visitor numbers, tackled legislative challenges, and made strides in connecting tourism with other vital economic sectors.”

Among the most significant achievements for economic growth was a tax advocacy effort in the Dominican Republic, which helped preserve vital tax incentives for hotels and tourism businesses that had been under threat of removal due to proposed tax reforms.

The year also saw the establishment of the Linkages Task Force, led by former CHTA President Nicola Madden-Greig, to strengthen connections between tourism and sectors such as agriculture and local businesses, fostering a more inclusive economic model.

Additionally, the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) and the return of Taste of the Caribbean provided valuable platforms to showcase regional excellence, foster collaboration, and drive innovation.

Building on the Success of 2024: Looking Ahead to 2025

With the momentum from a record-breaking year, CHTA is now setting its sights on 2025. According to travel intelligence company Forward Keys, the island of Curaçao has seen a 16 percent increase in flight bookings for the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, while Sint Maarten and Antigua and Barbuda have each recorded an 11 percent increase.

Capitalizing on these strong early trends, CHTA’s 2025 strategy will focus on three transformative pillars:

Developing the Region’s Workforce: New training initiatives will equip hospitality professionals with the skills needed to keep the Caribbean competitive on a global scale.

Harnessing Technology: Enhancing guest experiences and improving operational efficiency through digital transformation remains a top priority.

Strengthening Linkages: Deepening connections between tourism and local industries to drive sustainable growth and enrich visitor experiences.

“A key part of this vision is our 2025 work plan, which also includes updates to our bylaws to modernize governance and ensure CHTA remains agile, inclusive, and future-focused,” Destang explained.

Caribbean Travel Marketplace 2025: A First for Antigua & Barbuda

One of the most anticipated events of the year, the Caribbean Travel Marketplace, will be hosted in Antigua & Barbuda for the first time. This marks only the third time the event has been held in the Eastern Caribbean. Marketplace 2025 will offer an enhanced experience with features such as the Linkages Trade Show, Responsible Tourism Day, and the Direct Booking Summit – Caribbean Edition, all designed to foster collaboration, innovation and drive business to the region and CHTA members.

“Caribbean Travel Marketplace, along with supplemental CHTA events this year, will serve as a catalyst for collaboration and new ideas, setting the stage for the future of Caribbean tourism,” Destang added.

With a steadfast commitment to partnership, innovation, and sustainability, CHTA is poised to lead the region into a new era of opportunity.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - On January 20th, the Grace Hill Bible University, St. Maarten Campus’ counseling degree program, in partnership with Victorious Living Foundation and the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labor (VSA), hosted a transformative suicide prevention Master Class under the theme, "Igniting Hope in Our Community: Preventing Suicide."

Held at the St. Maarten Government Administration Building, the event aimed to raise awareness and provide critical tools for suicide assessment, prevention, and treatment.

With over 300 attendees participating in person and online—and more than 1,000 total views since the event—it was clear this initiative struck a chord within the community. Suicide affects people of all ages and backgrounds, and the Master Class served as a crucial step toward breaking the stigma surrounding mental health conversations on the island.

The event was spearheaded by Dr. Erna Mae Francis-Cotton, along with Master’s Counseling Degree students Minerva Warner Hughes, Georges Richardson, Barbara Cocks, Pastor Vital Dominique, and Sachida Thomasia-Hyman. Together, they demonstrated the power of education and collaboration in addressing this pressing issue.

Minister of Public Health, Social Development & Labor, the Honorable Mr. Richinel Brug, emphasized the importance of initiatives like these during his address. “When Mrs. Erna Mae Francis-Cotton approached us with this initiative, there was no hesitation. Victorious Living Foundation has always been about improving lives, and VSA shares that same mission. This partnership was a natural fit. If you have future projects, just reach out,” he said.

Minister Brug further highlighted the timeliness of the event: “This initiative is long overdue, especially considering the lives lost over the past year. Suicide has often been treated as a taboo topic in our community, but by addressing it head-on, you’re breaking barriers and making a lasting impact.”

The Master Class featured insightful presentations from the Master’s Counseling Degree students, covering topics such as youth suicide, substance abuse, and tailored prevention strategies for clergy. Attendees also benefited from the expertise of keynote speaker Dr. Ann Marlin Evans, who stressed the urgency of innovative solutions to support those in need.

Minister Brug extended his gratitude to the organizers and participants, expressing his hope for more initiatives that shed light on mental health challenges. This event demonstrated the power of community partnerships and underscored the need to continue fostering open conversations about mental health and wellness.

For more information on upcoming initiatives or support, please contact Grace Hill Bible University or the Ministry of VSA. Together, we can keep igniting hope in our community.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Sint-Maarten Police Force (KPSM) hosted a brief but meaningful introductory ceremony on Monday, January 27, 2025, at the Philipsburg Police Station to officially welcome the BPO-6 Class of 2025.

This class comprises police recruits from Sint-Maarten and the Caribbean Netherlands, marking the beginning of their two-year training program.

During the ceremony, speeches of encouragement were delivered by several distinguished leaders:

• The Honorable Minister of Justice, Mr. N. Tackling
• The Chief of Police of the Dutch Caribbean, Mr. A. Braaf
• The Chief of Police of Sint-Maarten, Mr. C. John
• The Academy’s School Coordinator, Mr. J. Ruts

The speakers emphasized the importance of the recruits’ chosen career, reminding them that being a police officer is a calling rooted in service to the community. Integrity was highlighted as a fundamental value they must uphold in their future roles.

The recruits were encouraged to remain steadfast in their commitment to protecting and serving with honor and dedication.

The BPO-6 Class of 2025 will undergo comprehensive training on Sint-Maarten, managed by the National Police Academy (NPA). KPSM expressed its gratitude to the Chief of Police of the Caribbean Netherlands, the NPA Academy, its instructors, and the dedicated coordinators who have made this important milestone possible.

KPSM extends its best wishes to the recruits as they embark on this challenging yet rewarding journey. Over the next two years, these individuals will develop the skills, knowledge, and resilience needed to serve and protect their communities with integrity and professionalism.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - An alleyway is being transformed as part of Be The Change Foundation (BTC), @ColorMeSXM initiative. Twenty-two murals have been added to Philipsburg by local and regional artists, since the project’s inception in 2020.

“This alleyway project will feature our largest mural yet, spanning over 210m²! @ColorMeSXM is our way of uplifting Philipsburg, showcasing the talents of local and regional artists, and creating a unique activity for residents and visitors through a self-guided map. We are deeply grateful for the ongoing support from artists, the community, and grant agencies,” said BTC’s Project Coordinator Laura Bijnsdorp.

The upcoming transformation is executed in collaboration with Plastic Free SXM, an initiative aimed at reducing single-use plastics on the island through community action and legislative reform. Plastic Free SXM is executed by St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF) on behalf of the Government of St. Maarten, and supported by the Resilience, Sustainable Energy, and Marine Biodiversity (RESEMBID) programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France.

Artists Nascha Kagie and Daphne Prevoo will take lead in designing the large mural depicting a fantastical underwater world, while highlighting the environmental threats of plastic pollution. "However, to complete the mural, we will need a lot of helpful and creative volunteers, as this is a massive project," shared Nascha & Daphne. Interested volunteers can follow Plastic Free SXM on Instagram & Facebook - where the volunteer opportunities will be posted, as well as on www.volunteer.sx

The designated alleyway for this project, Afloopsteeg, located next to Seaview Beach Hotel, will first undergo cleaning, preparation, and base-layer painting under the guidance of LICCOM Construction, a key partner in the initiative. “We are proud to contribute to this community project, enhancing Philipsburg through art, and eagerly anticipate the final result,” shared Henk Van den Heuvel, Director of LICCOM Construction. Other key supporters include the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied, the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, and Philipsburg community and business representatives.

The mural is expected to be completed over the next several weeks with opportunities for community members to assist the artists during the process. Updates on the project will be shared on Facebook (Be The Change Foundation) and Instagram (@ColorMeSXM).

For more information about Plastic Free SXM visit @plasticfreesxm (Facebook & Instagram) or www.plasticfree.sx

RESEMBID is a 47-project programme that supports sustainable human development efforts in 12 Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) – Aruba, Anguilla, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Montserrat, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Saint Barthélemy, Sint Maarten, and Turks and Caicos.