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PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry of VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake and Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications Hon. Ted Richardson along with representatives of the St. Maarten Timeshare Association (SMTA) and St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies, on Tuesday wrapped-up the tourist directional signs project.

The brief ceremony took place at the Cay Hill round-a-bout in front of one of 90 signs that were erected throughout the country during the past months.

"This is a significant improvement for product development. We need to make it easier for our visitors to be able to get around the island without a hassle.

The signs will benefit stay-over as well as cruise visitors. I would like to thank all stakeholders who played a role in making this happen," Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Hon. Ted Richardson said.

"The signage is very important for our visitors. Tourism is a service industry, and the signage is part of the service as well. We are facilitating our visitors to be able to find their way around the country, and signage plays a role in this," Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said.

The SMTA and the Tourist Bureau on the scene started the discussion about additional signage for secondary roads, tourist sites (look-out), nature trails and cultural/heritage sites.

Present for the brief ceremony was Chairman of the SMTA Marcel Javois and SMTA Secretary Jim Rosen, representatives from the Tourist Bureau and Clean St. Maarten, the latter who completed the installation of the signs throughout the country.

The SMTA financially sponsored the project and the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB) product development team assisted in the process.

The St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies also contributed to the program, understanding the importance of signage for the countries visitors especially cruise passengers.

All stakeholders were thankful for the assistance they provided during the entire project process, namely, including all the aforementioned, Public Works and the Traffic Department of the Police Force, who all worked in harmony to make it happen.

Materials for the sign selected were of the highest quality available. They meet or exceed Florida Highway standards for thickness, reflectivity and salt environment resistance.

The signs were made of aluminum with a thickness of .125 inches and have the highest quality reflective diamond coating for maximum visibility for both day and night even without special lighting.

The signs have an additional UV protective coating to give a 15-year guarantee with an expected life span well over that. The letter sizing is also in accordance with US standards for the speed of the traffic for safe visibility and readability.

In Photo: On hand for the unveiling were, Minister Hon. Ted Richardson (4th from left), Minister Hon. Maurice Lake (5th from left), along with representatives from St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies, St. Maarten Timeshare Association, Clean St. Maarten, and the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau.