SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation, SCDF, is making it clear that Carnival Village remains a safe, vibrant, and protected space at the heart of the country’s biggest annual celebration, despite recent reports and social media chatter surrounding isolated fights in the venue.

SCDF said Carnival Village must not be misconstrued as a violent place because that is simply not the reality. While videos of isolated incidents may travel quickly and create the wrong impression, they do not reflect the full truth of what takes place in the Village night after night. What is too often missing from the online narrative are the many positive moments, the successful events, the cultural showcases, the families enjoying themselves, the music, the joy, and the unity that define Carnival Village throughout the season.

In today’s world, negative content spreads fast. A short clip of ignorant behaviour can circle social media in minutes, while hours of safe, enjoyable, and memorable experiences never receive the same attention. SCDF said this imbalance can unfairly damage the image of Carnival Village and distort public perception of an event space that continues to serve as the heart and soul of Carnival.

The Foundation stressed that a few bad apples cannot be allowed to define Carnival Village or overshadow the hard work that goes into making the venue safe and welcoming for thousands of patrons. For decades, 55 Years to be exact, Carnival Village has stood as the cultural center of Carnival in St. Maarten, a place where residents and visitors come together to celebrate music, pageantry, food, and national pride. That identity remains intact, and SCDF is determined to protect it fully.

SCDF also made it clear that anyone coming to Carnival Village with the intention of creating trouble should stay at home. Those who choose to engage in disorderly or criminal conduct will face serious consequences under the law. Carnival Village is a place for enjoyment, not disruption, and there will be zero tolerance for those who seek to threaten the safety and experience of others.

At the same time, SCDF acknowledged that it has taken note of much of the triggers behind belligerent behavior and is actively examining measures to reduce those risks. The Foundation said it recognizes the need to respond not only to incidents themselves, but also to the conditions that can fuel them. Protecting the image of Carnival Village and safeguarding the country’s largest annual event requires both vigilance and action, and SCDF is committed to both.

SCDF said the overwhelming majority of people who attend events in Carnival Village do so peacefully and responsibly. They come to enjoy the culture, support performers, spend time with friends and family, and take part in one of the most important traditions in St. Maarten. That reality should not be lost because of the ignorant behaviour of a small minority.

Carnival Village remains, as it has always been, a place of celebration, culture, and community. SCDF said it will continue working closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the venue remains secure and that the public can continue to enjoy Carnival with confidence. The Foundation urged the public not to allow viral moments to replace lived reality, and to remember that impressions are not always what they seem.

“Carnival Village is safe, Carnival Village is vital, and Carnival Village will continue to be protected,” SCDF said. “We will not allow the reckless actions of a few individuals to tarnish the spirit of our festival or the image of the place that represents the beating heart of Carnival in St. Maarten.”

SINT MAARTEN (SIMPSON BAY-AIRPORT) - Winair proudly participates in the St. Martin / St. Maarten Annual Regional Tradeshow (SMART) 2026, by introducing a refreshed and more engaging Travel Agent Contest that celebrates the passion behind Caribbean travel.

Organized in collaboration with the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA), the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB), the Office du Tourisme de St. Martin (OdT), and the Club du Tourisme, SMART continues to serve as the premier tourism marketplace of the northeastern Caribbean.

From June 22–26, SMART 2026 brings the Caribbean travel industry together to connect, collaborate, and grow.

Celebrating the Voices Behind Caribbean Travel

As part of its ongoing commitment to regional tourism, Winair invites travel agents from across its network to participate in the Winair Caribbean Travel Story Contest.

Agents are encouraged to share their perspective by answering: “What makes Caribbean travel unforgettable?” Selected participants will receive: • A Winair Caribbean Experience Flight • Full access to all SMART 2026 events Submissions must be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before May 10, 2026.

Connecting the Caribbean Through Experience

To qualify, participants must travel from one of Winair’s destinations, including St. Barths, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts, Tortola, Antigua, Dominica, Montserrat, Curaçao, Aruba, Barbados, St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, and Port of Spain.

In addition, Winair is offering a 25% discounted fare for registered SMART buyers and suppliers traveling from its network, further supporting regional connectivity and accessibility.

“SMART provides a valuable platform to strengthen relationships across the Caribbean tourism industry,” said Winair CEO Hans van der Velde. “It allows us to connect with our partners, support our destinations, and continue building a stronger, more integrated regional travel network.”

With participation from both island airports and a growing number of regional and international airlines, SMART 2026 is expected to feature a strong aviation presence, highlighting the importance of connectivity in driving Caribbean tourism forward.

SINT MAARTEN (POND ISLAND) - Telem and St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) celebrates its historic 55th anniversary from April 10 to May 6, 2026, Telem is connecting this year’s cultural experience by partnering with a trio of local content creators to bring Carnival closer to audiences both on the ground and online.

As a major partner of Carnival 2026, Telem has teamed up with popular social media influencers and performers Rummer, Lisa Adams, and Tracy Laville. The trio will collaborate to promote its marketing efforts throughout the Carnival season. Known for their strong digital presence and highly engaged audiences, these creators will serve as Telem’s official Carnival content crew.

From April 10 through May 6, the influencers are on the frontlines of the 55-year-old festivities, capturing and sharing authentic, real-time experiences from the heart of Carnival at Jocelyn Arndell Festival Village. Their content includes nightly recaps, behind-the-scenes adventures, and in-depth storytelling strategized to make viewers feel as though they are part of the best carnival in the Caribbean.

In addition to content creation, the influencer team actively promote Telem’s exciting Carnival campaigns, including ticket and Carnival costume giveaways.

Telem is also reinforcing its commitment to cultural connection by incorporating informational branding that highlights the rich history and legacy of Carnival over the past 55 years.

All official Carnival events will take place at the Jocelyn Arndell Festival Village, following a lineup of pre-Carnival activities. Telem has enhanced the on-site experience by providing upgraded free Wi-Fi to support high-demand usage, ensuring seamless connectivity for sharing every moment.

Additional Carnival offers from Telem include:

• Unlimited Data Plan for $30, allowing revelers to stay connected without limits;
• Free giveaways with the purchase of $2, $5, and $10 top-up cards;
• On-site activations, raffles, and interactive experiences led by Telem’s “Proudly Local” team;

With bold red stage branding, immersive photo backdrops, and a strong digital presence powered by its influencer partners, Telem is redefining how Carnival is experienced in 2026.

Telem invites everyone to continue to celebrate 55 years of mas and stay connected to every moment, whether in person or online.

Social Media Influencer Tracy Laville

Social Media Influencer Lisa Adams

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Nature Foundation Sint Maarten is once again voicing its concerns for environmental conservation and public access on the island, following recent news about developments around Mullet Bay, Beacon Hill, and Little Bay.

For nearly three decades, since our founding in 1997, the Nature Foundation has worked – often quietly and behind closed doors – to protect Sint Maarten’s coastlines, wetlands, and hillsides. We have submitted countless assessments, provided formal advice, and engaged directly with government. Sint Maarten’s natural ecosystems are essential to wildlife, recreation, culture, economy, and wellbeing, but we continue to lose them at alarming rates. The past few weeks have seen a flurry of activity that has caused renewed concerns about the future of our remaining coastlines.

Last week, the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) revealed they are currently in court to keep Mullet Bay’s coastal area in public hands. Should the owner of the surrounding lands in Mullet Bay, Sunresorts Ltd. N.V., win the case, the rest of our beaches are at risk of the same. This means private owners may be able to deny access to residents through physical fencing or private security. While we remain critical of how our beach use has been managed under successive governments, and watchful of the potential impact on Mullet Pond - a nearby wetland of international importance – the privatization of public beach access is unacceptable.

Further cause for concern is the series of approved building permits for an address linked to The Morgan, published in the National Gazette last week. A March 3 Daily Herald article noted that future phases may include a breakwater and lagoon. This is the same site where, in 2020, a request for water rights was rejected after community members took to the streets in protest over concerns about a planned dolphinarium. We have not forgotten this, and we are watching closely. The Nature Foundation firmly opposes any coastal infrastructure of this scale without a full Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) - an independent process that evaluates how a project will impact our environment and communities before construction is permitted to occur.

Finally, active heavy machinery has also been spotted at the shoreline next to Little Bay Pond in recent weeks. Earlier this year, a website advertising a development called "Lagune Bay," showing buildings surrounding the pond and beach, drew public attention. The Nature Foundation has submitted negative advice on proposed developments around this pond multiple times. Little Bay Pond is one of only four remaining ponds in a country that once had nineteen. It is an internationally recognized Important Bird Area (IBA) due to its fishing grounds for the brown pelican, Sint Maarten’s national bird. It is also a site of deep cultural and historical significance, as this pond sustained the lives of enslaved people on surrounding plantations for generations.

These three sites represent only a fraction of harmful development which has caused so much frustration and hopelessness in Sint Maarten. We maintain that sustainable economic development and infrastructure can be pursued through a national spatial plan, high standards for construction approval, and meaningful community input. But our current pattern of development will not result in improved livelihoods – instead, it will deliver the destruction of habitats for our wildlife, loss of public access, increased strain on our electricity grid, more traffic on our oversaturated roads, and the erosion of our resilience in the face of hurricanes, energy crises, and economic shocks.

As a small non-profit organization, the Nature Foundation cannot change decisions made by courts or the Government of Sint Maarten. We can only provide advice on what sorts of decisions are in the interest of Sint Maarten’s communities, both people and wildlife. But much of our guidance has been disregarded in favor of more – more concrete, more permits, more money – rather than better – better living, better planning, better management. We urge residents and visitors alike to voice their feelings to elected officials, and for elected officials to overcome their partisan issues and work towards envisioning a better Sint Maarten. There is no time to lose.