SINT EUSTATIUS (ORANJESTAD) - The St. Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation today launched its revamped official destination website, www.statia-tourism.com/. Showcasing a modern, fully responsive design, the upgraded digital gateway breaks new ground for regional destination marketing by embedding advanced web accessibility features directly into the core user experience.

This ensures that information regarding Statia’s landscapes, diving, and historical landmarks is readily available to all travellers, including those with visual impairments and reading challenges.

Developed in close partnership with digital specialists Shift2 and regional representative SIM Caribbean, the platform sets a new benchmark for inclusivity in the Caribbean tourism sector. A primary pillar of the redesign is the integration of the WebReader text-to-speech solution.

This built-in functionality allows users to have all website content read aloud seamlessly, expanding the destination's reach to an entirely diverse, global audience whilst prioritising digital equity.

"Our goal was not merely to refresh our online appearance, but to fundamentally transform how the world interacts with Statia digitally," said Maya Pandt, the director of tourism. "By placing cutting-edge digital accessibility at the forefront of this redesign, we are ensuring that Statia’s timeless story—our rich heritage, pristine nature, and untouched tranquility—is open and welcoming to everyone. This platform bridges our rich past with a modern, inclusive future, allowing prospective visitors to effortlessly plan their holidays and experience our unique hospitality long before they step foot here."

In addition to its advanced accessibility capabilities, the new website features an intuitive, mobile-optimised user interface that allows travellers to navigate accommodations, historical attractions, marine activities, hiking trails, and local events effortlessly from any device.

St Eustatius, known affectionately as Statia, occupies a unique position in the Caribbean. The small Dutch Caribbean island in the northern Leeward chain carries an outsized historical footprint: it was once the wealthiest trading port in the Atlantic world, its harbours thronged with merchant vessels from a dozen nations, and it was the first entity to recognise an independent United States 250 years ago on 16 November 1776. 

Today, that heritage endures in the cobbled lanes of Oranjestad, in the ruins of Lower Town stretching beneath the sea, and in the extraordinary marine ecosystems that surround its shores. The new website is built to carry that story forward with clarity, confidence, and contemporary design.

Coinciding with the digital relaunch, Statia Tourism has also formalised its brand identity guidelines. The existing logo has been refined to establish a consistent, polished visual aesthetic across all digital and print media, reinforcing Statia’s positioning as a premium, authentic, and sustainable Caribbean destination.

The refreshed platform is live as of today. Global travellers and media partners are invited to explore the new digital gateway and discover the hidden gem of the Caribbean by visiting the official site.

BONAIRE (KRALENDIJK) - From May 11 to 19, Aruban and Curaçaoan troops participated in the annual exercise Caribbean Strike, held this year on Bonaire. During this intensive training, the troops practiced together in a realistic training situation at the platoon level.

The troops trained on challenging terrain in high temperatures. Here various military assignments were carried out, both during the day and at night. The troops practiced amongst other things with ambushes, reconnaissance patrols, attacks, and actions to make contact with an opponent.

The exercise was led by a combined company staff of Aruban and Curaçaoan troops. During Caribbean Strike, the troops further developed their physical and mental resilience, perseverance, and tactical skills.

Caribbean Strike is an important part of the ongoing development of Caribbean troops. Through this exercise, they strengthen their cooperation, professionalism, and readiness for future operations.

SINT EUSTATIUS (ORANJESTAD) - Representatives of Statia Government and St. Eustatius Utility Company (STUCO) recently participated in the Blue Planet Alliance Fellowship Program in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, from 9 to 16 May 2026. The fellowship brought together island governments, utility representatives, energy professionals, and sustainability leaders to exchange practical knowledge on renewable energy, energy security, and climate resilience.

Statia was recognised as the first island within the Dutch Caribbean to participate in the fellowship programme. This recognition reflects the progress already made in Statia’s energy transition and the island’s continued commitment to reducing dependence on fossil fuels and building a more resilient energy future.

The Blue Planet Alliance Fellowship Program supports islands in moving towards renewable energy. While the programme works within a broader 2045 renewable energy goal, STUCO, with the support of the government, has committed to the more ambitious target of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030. This commitment forms part of the Clean Energy for European Union Islands (CE4EUI) 30 for 2030 programme and was officially presented by Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba during the March 2026 meeting in Brussels.

During the fellowship, delegates took part in workshops, technical sessions, policy discussions, planning sessions, and field visits focused on renewable energy policy, project development, financing, technology, and practical ways to put energy transition plans into action.

As part of the closing sessions, Statia delivered its official island presentation outlining the island’s vision, opportunities, and roadmap towards achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030. The presentation highlighted Statia’s ongoing sustainability efforts, its participation in the Clean Energy for European Union Islands 30 for 2030 programme, and its commitment to a cleaner, more secure, and more resilient energy future.

The fellowship also provided an opportunity for Statia to strengthen international partnerships and learn from other island communities facing similar energy and climate challenges. These exchanges allowed participating islands to share experiences, discuss practical solutions, and explore approaches that can support renewable energy development in small island settings.

Participation in the fellowship marks an important step in supporting Statia’s energy transition. The knowledge, expertise, and relationships gained through the programme will contribute to ongoing efforts to expand renewable energy, strengthen energy security, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and protect the island’s environment.

The government extends its appreciation to the organisers of the Blue Planet Alliance Fellowship Program for facilitating meaningful dialogue and cooperation among island communities committed to building a cleaner and more sustainable future.

SINT EUSTATIUS (ORANJESTAD) - Statia is one step closer to opening a modern secondary school building for the students and staff of the Gwendoline van Putten School (GVP), as construction has entered its final stage.

On Monday afternoon, 18 May 2026, Island Commissioner Reuben Merkman, responsible for education, toured the construction site with representatives of Statia Government and a representative of the GVP Board. The delegation was guided by a representative of the construction team, who provided an update on the work completed so far and the steps still needed before completion.

The new school building is located along Korthalsweg. An additional access route from Spiegelweg is also being prepared. Designs for this route are being developed, and local contractors will be invited to take part in this phase of the project.

The project is being carried out with safety, quality education, and wellbeing at its centre. It is intended to provide a more suitable learning environment for students and a modern working environment for staff.

Visible progress can now be seen throughout the site. Inside the building, classroom ceilings and floors are being installed, along with electrical installations, guard railings, and the new on-site wastewater treatment system. Outside, the bus drop-off area, parking spaces, and basketball court are taking shape.

Once most of the construction has been completed before the end of the year, furnishing will take place and preparations for the relocation will begin.

Statia Government, the GVP Board, and the Executive Council look forward to continued cooperation as they work towards preparing the building for use. The project forms part of the Government’s continued commitment to strengthening education infrastructure and supporting the future learning environment of young people in Statia.