SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY, (DCOMM) – The Department of Communication (DCOMM) Documentalist Lee Williams recently returned from Aruba attending a National Digital Heritage Strategy Symposium under the banner, “Dutch Caribbean Digital Heritage Week” that was held by Coleccion Aruba.

The Prins Bernard Culture Funds section Caribbean is working in partnership with different stakeholders to keep the Dutch islands heritage alive.

The objective of the working visit is to develop a National Archives of Sint Maarten which entails digitalizing government historical records, videos and photo collections from the past which had to be salvaged from hurricane Irma and Maria. The aforementioned would be the nation’s first digital heritage archive of all materials created.

More than 150 heritage organizations work together in the Digital Heritage Network, with the aim of creating a network of digitally connected heritage that is easily findable and usable for various user groups and stakeholders.

The National Digital Heritage Strategy describes how heritage collections can be digitally connected in a sustainable manner. It is of great value that the collections in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom are also sustainably preserved, managed, and made accessible.

The key objectives for all participants are: Mapping existing connections between heritage organizations, individuals, and policy makers; Explore the power of an organizational network: how and where do people know where to find each other?

To map existing knowledge and resources; Identify knowledge and resource exchange; Identify needs regarding support for heritage organizations and heritage management persons; and the introduction to the Netwerk Digitaal Erfgoed and the National Strategy Digital Heritage.

The conference took place from April 8 – 12.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - With the Caribbean region as a prime target to invigorate St. Maarten's year-round tourism market share, the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB), represented by its Caribbean Marketing Agent IMBRACE, embarked on a series of sales calls at the end of March. The focus included select islands in the South and Eastern Caribbean with initial partnership-building visits to Trinidad, Barbados, and Antigua.

These sales calls incorporated a series of productive meetings and presentations to travel agencies, the media, event promoters and airlines to explore cross-promotional partnerships, strategically forged towards driving increased awareness and appeal of St. Maarten as a key tourism destination. "The goal is to elevate the promotion of our island throughout the wider Caribbean region. We aim to redefine the narrative surrounding St. Maarten, shifting the focus from solely being a connecting hub to showcasing the diverse multi-cultural vacation experiences that we have to offer, including entertainment, culture, gastronomy, adventurous excursions, nature, nightlife, the outstanding accommodations available, high-quality hospitality services and more. These all form a vital component of the 'Sweet SXM Experience' that we are promoting," shared Jacqueline Louis, CEO IMBRACE.

"We are knocking on doors, breaking down walls and actively paving the way into the Caribbean region. These efforts are essential to keep the island top of mind for inbound tourism" shared Louis. "We were received with a warm welcome among our Caribbean brothers and sisters. Several travel agencies, including Amrals Travel Agencies in Trinidad, Going Places Travel Agencies in Barbados, and many others are among those who have agreed to develop promotional packages that include offers to our dual-nation island paradise."

Additionally, discussions were held to explore affordable rates, direct connections, and cooperative campaigns, particularly for major events such as the SMART conference, St. Maarten Carnival, St. Maarten culinary month and other local festivities.

During radio interviews and other media presentations, the enthusiasm was invigorating as IMBRACE promoted the destination with passion, while launching a Caribbean-wide campaign to enter and get a chance to 'Win an all-inclusive vacation to Sweet St. Maarten!'

"IMBRACE's Caribbean tourism marketing initiatives are focused on building collaborative bridges where there were once competitive barriers. Connecting our shared historical, regional and family bonds will help stimulate increased affinity, awareness and thereby, also grow the tourism appeal of our Sweet St. Maarten," shared Jacqueline Louis.

These efforts will be continuous as IMBRACE remains dedicated to strategically implementing various campaigns as part of the comprehensive Caribbean marketing program.

Local hospitality providers, including hotels, restaurants, car rentals, activity/tour companies and all stakeholders are encouraged to participate in STB's Caribbean marketing efforts by sharing their products and regional promotions for inclusion in the ongoing destination marketing efforts.

Jacqueline Louis, CEO IMBRACE

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - In recent months and in the past year there has been numerous attacks on the heritage of Sint Maarten culture our intangible and our tangible culture. Monument and heritage sites are being tampered with or targeted for destruction, without the proper legal procedures being followed.

On behalf of the Ministry of Education Culture Youth of Sport (MECYS), I, drs. Rodolphe Samuel offers my gratitude to all the people that have been calling in about the situation at the old Simpson Bay Bridge and other heritage sites. I beseech the public to remain vigilant when it comes to our monuments.

Just recently and quite unfortunate the Ministry has been called upon to address numerous ongoing situations such as the illegal renovation works taking place at L ’Escargot Restaurant property, the demolition of an historical ruin in Cole Bay, dumping of debris on the old Simpson Bay Bridge and the destruction of historical boulders at the former Emilio Wilson Plantation property in Cul de Sac.

“These are people who have been received with open arms yet fail to respect the very island that offers them a safe haven and sustenance. Our very own Sint Maarten people have been irresponsible with regards to our cultural traditions and monuments.

“We have to bring value to our heritage and culture, and I hereby remind and request the public to continue to be vigilant and alert. If you see something, do call the Ministry of Education Culture Youth and Sport immediately 520-5340.

“I am urging all residents, visitors, and citizens that have a love for Sint Maarten to join the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport in its mission to safeguard the tangible and intangible Cultural Heritage of the people of Sint Maarten. We cannot do this without you, although our resources may be limited, our will is strong! Each of us must do our part in preserving what is ours for the future generations to come,” says Minster of ECYS drs. Rodolphe Samuel.

CULTURE, TRADITONS, and HERITAGE is everyone’s business. Yours, Mines, Everyone!

It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that our history is preserved for the next generation.

We need our partners. We need alliances in the community to be extra vigilant with our trees, with our stonewalls, with our buildings, our wells, our traditions.

We are thankful to all of those who have been calling the Department of Culture and ministry to report on the destructions of relevant historical sites.

We ask for your continued support to be vigilant to pay attention.

There is a monument ordinance and process and procedures in place.

There are laws in place, fines, and jail time for individuals and or companies and organizations that violate our cultural patrimony.

The following is the process when applying for a monument permit.

Requests for obtaining a Monument Permit in accordance with the National Monument Ordinance (Monumenten Landsverordening, AB 2013, GT no. 336)

It is prohibited to touch a registered monument without a license from the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, or violate any of the conditions laid down in such a license in whole or in part if it involves:

• breaking down or moving.
• destroying or damaging.
• alteration in any fashion.
• restoration, usage or allowed usage in a manner whereby the registered monument is defaced or put at risk.

A permit as referred to above must be requested in writing addressed to the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (Soualiga Blvd., Philipsburg, Sint Maarten). The Minister decides on the request within six months after receipt of the written submission. In the event a decision is not taken within six months and the applicant is not notified or informed of such, the request shall be deemed to have been granted.

Even if a historical site or artifact is uncovered, you are required by law to report this to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport.

To determine whether a project requires a monument permit, the applicant can submit attached monument permit request form. For more detailed information containing general conditions please refer to the National Ordinance containing general conditions on Monuments by the Government of Sint Maarten which can be found on https://lokaleregelgeving.overheid.nl/CVDR319628/2.  

As minister responsible for monuments, I am hereby reminding the public of the monument ordinance and the requirement of the license prior to works being done on a monument.

The further destruction of our heritage will not be tolerated, and anyone seen violating the articles of the monument ordinance will face legal consequences.

Once again, we thank you for your continued support. If you're going to do any excavations and you come across something in question. Contact the department of culture or VROMI inspection. They in turn will call the relevant experts.

“Only together we can save our cultural heritage!”

SINT MAARTEN (POINT BLANCHE) – 20 stevedores working for St. Maarten Shipping & Stevedoring NV (SSS), completed six-days of training carried out by the Institute for Industrial Solutions (IIS) led by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Trainer Osric Forrest, and Technical Expert/Assessor Radcliffe Spence.

The certificates were presented by Lilian Hohl, CMA CGM local area representative in the presence of George Pelgrim, President of St. Maarten Shipping & Stevedoring. CMA CGM is the third largest shipping company in the world and one of the port’s biggest customers.

Each stevedore has successfully completed training and assessment activities and retained the required knowledge and competencies as outlined in The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) Safety Standard 29 CFR 1910-178 guidelines for General Industry and Stevedoring Foundation Skills Training Standards.

Each stevedore was awarded with a certificate of competence in Stevedoring Foundation Skills – Level 1; a certificate of training in Fundamentals of OHS for Maritime Port Operations; and a certificate of training in Lashing and Unlashing Operations.

Businessman George Pelgrim President of St. Maarten Shipping & Stevedoring NV said he is very proud of what the seasoned Stevedores have been able to accomplish. The initiative came from Pelgrim in collaboration with the Institute for Industrial Solutions for a program that would ‘Create the Total Port Worker.’

The training started on April 5 and concluded on April 10.

“This newly forged relationship between IIS for workforce development solutions and performance management and SSS is designed to further improve the company’s performance and adhere to international standards, main high employee morale, and create a long-term formal structure for training, employee development, and talent management along with leadership development in the areas that we provide services in such as maritime transportation, warehousing, and distribution.

“This training and workforce development is part of Intermar Group of Companies long term strategic plan to increase investment in human resource care and development thus creating a sustainable workforce which is part and parcel of our national human resource advancement,” Pelgrim said.

Maritime transportation and allied services play a vital role in ensuring citizen satisfaction, tourism product development and efficient service standards delivery across St. Maarten.

One key factor that can significantly impact the success of maritime services is investing in training and development of employees at all levels. Equipping the country’s port worker with the necessary attitude, skills and knowledge, businesses can enhance their overall customer experience, meet international standards, realize business continuity, and drive long-term success.

“We have really been making an effort to improve Port, Maritime, Transportation, Logistics, Warehousing and Distribution service offered across the region,” said Forrest. “Our aim is to provide ongoing training, assessment and certification for the entire industry, objective is to keep the Caribbean Region operations at International Standard.”