SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten has outlined Government’s role in fuel pricing and the measures currently under review, including fuel excise.

The Minister’s remarks were made in response to questions during the Council of Ministers Press Briefing held on Wednesday.

Fuel prices in Sint Maarten are primarily driven by international market developments. As global oil prices fluctuate, these changes are reflected locally through the established pricing mechanism. Government does not set fuel prices arbitrarily but regulates them through a maximum price mechanism based on international market developments.

Fuel prices are driven primarily by international market developments, while local consumption patterns can influence how strongly those increases are felt in Sint Maarten.

A key component of that structure is the excise tax on fuel. The Minister confirmed that Government is actively reviewing the current excise framework. However, such measures require careful consideration, as excise revenues form part of the national budget and support public expenditure across multiple sectors.

The Minister added that similar adjustments to the excise structure were implemented in 2022. While these provided short-term relief, they also created ongoing budgetary implications that continue to affect Government’s financial position today.

She further explained that any changes at this stage are dependent on the status and finalization of the 2026 budget and require alignment with the Ministry of Finance, which determines the broader fiscal impact of such measures.

“Any adjustment to excise must be weighed against its broader financial impact. These are not isolated decisions and require coordination with the Ministry of Finance, particularly in the context of the 2026 budget,” the Minister said.

Beyond fiscal measures, Government continues to assess the downstream impact of fuel price increases on goods and services. TEATT maintains regular communication with shipping companies to track cost developments and uses this information to guide market oversight.

Through its inspection services, the Ministry reviews the pricing of essential goods to ensure that increases at the retail level remain proportionate to actual cost changes. Where irregularities are identified, engagement takes place with businesses to address them.

At present, no significant or disproportionate increases in the basket of basic goods have been recorded. However, Government notes that the situation remains dynamic and subject to ongoing global developments.

The Minister also acknowledged the broader economic effects of rising fuel costs, including potential impacts on transportation, utilities, and tourism. While external factors such as aviation fuel prices may influence airfares, current tourism indicators remain stable, with hotel occupancy and forward bookings performing in line with expectations.

Government will continue to keep international developments under close review and assess targeted measures where necessary to mitigate local impact.

Recognizing that fuel pricing is a complex issue and one that deserves clearer public explanation, the Minister has asked the Ministry to prepare a comprehensive breakdown of the fuel pricing mechanism in Sint. Maarten.

The goal is to give residents a clearer understanding of the main factors that influence the final price at the pump and to make that information more accessible to the public. The Ministry expects to share that overview in the coming weeks as part of Government’s ongoing commitment to transparency and public understanding.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation, SCDF, is extending sincere appreciation to Divi Little Bay Resort for serving as the host property for the contestants of the 2026 St. Maarten Carnival Caribbean Queen Pageant.

Contestants representing countries and territories from across the region began arriving on St. Maarten yesterday and are being accommodated at Divi Little Bay Resort ahead of the highly anticipated pageant on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Carnival Village.

SCDF said Divi Little Bay Resort has worked closely with the foundation to help ensure that all delegates enjoy a warm, comfortable, and memorable stay while on island for one of the hallmark events of St. Maarten Carnival 2026.

“The Caribbean Queen Pageant is one of the signature events of our Carnival season, and we are very pleased to have Divi Little Bay Resort hosting our contestants,” SCDF said. “From the moment the delegates began arriving, Divi has been a valued partner in helping us create a welcoming experience for these young women as they prepare for the pageant. We are grateful for the support and hospitality being extended to all of the contestants.”

The 2026 Caribbean Queen Pageant, held under the theme “Queens of Sun & Soil,” will bring together 13 ambassadors from across the Caribbean and beyond in a celebration of culture, poise, talent, and regional pride. Contestants are expected to compete in several segments, including Evening Gown, Talent, Interview, and Ambassadorial or National Wear.

The pageant will take place on Wednesday, April 15, at 8:00 p.m. at Carnival Village and will feature representatives from Aruba, Anguilla, Nevis, Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent, Antigua, St. Eustatius, Belize, and St. Maarten. The winner will walk away with the coveted Caribbean Queen title and a grand prize of US$10,000.

As St. Maarten Carnival celebrates its 55th anniversary in 2026, SCDF said partnerships such as the one with Divi Little Bay Resort play an important role in maintaining the quality and reputation of the island’s major cultural events.

SCDF thanked Divi Little Bay Resort for its cooperation, support, and commitment to helping make the 2026 Caribbean Queen Pageant a memorable experience for every contestant visiting St. Maarten.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Sint Maarten Aquatic Federation (SMAF) national swim team, consisting of 10 swimmers— five (5) boys and five (5) girls. The team consists of Azaiah Roper- Duzon, Holdson Jean Fort, Kjeld van der Meer, Declan Boyd and Emmbriel Flanders as well as J’aishaa Jeffers, Victoria Otto, Caithlyn Challenger, Lois Geeerdink and Aiyana Bourne.

Both Victoria and Holdson are new members on the national swimming team. They will compete against athletes from 20 Caribbean countries at the CARIFTA 2026 Aquatics Championships, which will take place in Martinique from April 3–8, 2026.

The young athletes will compete in a variety of aquatic disciplines, showcasing their skills and determination on a regional stage. Accompanying the team will be a coach Dwight Vermeer and delegation leader Claudia Connor, both representing SMAF and providing guidance and support throughout the competition.

All pool events will be held at the Lamentin Aquatic Center in Martinique. The CARIFTA Aquatics Championships is regarded as a key developmental event, offering young swimmers the opportunity to gain valuable international experience and prepare for higher levels of competition.

Supporters and fans are encouraged to follow the team’s journey and stay updated on their performance through social media platforms, including Instagram (@cariftamartinique2026 and @liguenatationmartinique) and Facebook (CARIFTA Aquatics Championships 2026 and Martinique Swimming League).

SINT MAARTEN/BERMUDA - Belize’s tourism minister has extended an open invitation to tourism industry leaders to visit the Central American and Caribbean nation next month, highlighting its world-class natural assets and long-standing commitment to sustainable tourism.

Speaking ahead of a major Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) conference, Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism, Youth, Sports and Diaspora Relations, showcased Belize’s diverse offerings during remarks tied to the upcoming Sustainable Tourism Conference (STC 2026), scheduled for April 27–30 in Belize.

“It is our honor to host the next Sustainable Tourism Conference in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye in Belize under the theme ‘Tourism in Full Color’,” Mahler told regional delegates attending CTO’s Air Connectivity Summit in Bermuda last month.

Mahler noted that many across the Caribbean remain unfamiliar with Belize’s tourism product, positioning the conference as an opportunity to broaden awareness. “Belize has the second largest barrier reef in the world after Australia. We have three of the four atolls in the Western Hemisphere. We have the Great Blue Hole. We have about 250 to 300 offshore islands. We have the history of the Maya civilization. We have about 35 rivers, mountains, a rich rainforest just like the Amazon,” he said.

He emphasized the destination’s accessibility and diversity of experiences: “You don’t have to go to Australia to have great diving or snorkeling. You don’t have to go to Egypt to see pyramids. And you don’t have to go to New York or Miami or LA or any of those cities to have a diversity of people. We have all of that packaged in such a small piece of real estate in Belize.”

Belize has prioritized sustainable tourism for nearly 50 years with eco-adventure at the core of its development strategy, Minister Mahler added. The country’s tourism product includes approximately 12,000 rooms, many of them intimate properties that reflect a community-based model of sustainability.

The 17th edition of STC, organized by CTO in partnership with the Belize Tourism Board, will convene regional and international leaders under the theme “Tourism in Full Color: Integrating Blue, Green, Orange and Beyond Economies into Sustainable Planning and Development.”

Dame Pania Tyson-Nathan, DNZM, Chief Executive of New Zealand Māori Tourism, will deliver the keynote address. The program will feature ministerial roundtables, expert sessions, master classes and field experiences focused on the blue economy, green climate-resilient solutions, orange cultural and creative industries, and broader priorities including social cohesion and inclusive growth.

The conference underscores Belize’s commitment to sustainable tourism and reinforces its role as a catalyst for innovation and responsible growth in the Caribbean. STC 2026 will serve as a platform for bold ideas, strategic partnerships and actionable outcomes as delegates work to shape a more sustainable future for regional tourism.

Registration and additional details are available at: https://bit.ly/CaribbeanSTC2026. (CTO)

The Great Blue Hole in Belize

Photo credit: Belize Tourism Board