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Reduced Ticket-Tax Boosts Revenue And Employment

St. Maarten – Robin Hayes, President & CEO of JetBlue Airways and keynote speaker at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC), held last week in Curacao, stunned his audience with a message to which few had paid much attention before. Hayes stated: “At JetBlue, we are very much thinking about the relative tax burden on our customers as we allocate capacity.”

For countries that rely heavily on the air transportation of visitors for up to 70% of their GDP, few tourism planners in the Caribbean have ever considered examining their relative position within the region concerning taxes on airline tickets Read more

Winners And Losers: Who Will Survive The Polls In February?

St. Maarten / By Hilbert Haar – February 9, 2016 is crunch day for politicians and those who aspire to become one. The parliamentary elections – for some mysterious reason perceived by some as ‘snap elections’, whatever that may be – will give voters the opportunity to speak their mind about the constitutional drama that concluded on Wednesday when the ministers of the Marcel Gumbs cabinet tendered their resignation and Governor Drs Read more

>THE CARIBBEAN (Oct. 29, 2015) - Robin Hayes, President & CEO of JetBlue Airways and keynote speaker at the Caribbean Tourism Organization's (CTO) State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC), held last week in Curacao, stunned his audience with a message to which few had paid much attention before. Hayes stated: "At JetBlue, we are very much thinking about the relative tax burden on our customers as we allocate capacity."
For countries that rely heavily on the air transportation of visitors for up to 70% of their GDP, few tourism planners in the Caribbean have ever considered examining their relative position within the region concerning taxes on airline tickets Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---- SOTIC is an opportunity for Ministries of Tourism and private sector to interact, dialogue and exchange ideas and experiences. According to CHTA President Emil Lee, as a strategic partner of the CTO, CHTA believes it is important that private sector and public sector work together and support each others events. A key part of developing any partnership relationship is to build an understanding of each others challenges and aspirations Read more

Emil Lee Attends Sotic In Curacao

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Emil Lee, CHTA President and Curacao Minster of Economic Development and Tourism Stanley Palm meet at the CTO SOTIC or State of the industry conference.SOTIC is an opportunity for Ministries of Tourism and private sector to interact, dialogue and exchange ideas and experiences.  According to CHTA President Emil Lee, as a strategic partner of the CTO, CHTA believes it is important that private sector and public sector work together and support each others events Read more

"Quotable Caribbean" October 2015

Caribbean - "The success of CHIEF (Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum) is a reflection of our new vision and a validation that we have moved in the right direction. Besides seeing increased participation from middle management, we are seeing a new generation of hoteliers becoming involved and enthusiastically engaged." - Emil Lee, President, Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association

 "Management sets standards of performance, assumes responsibility for work objectives, initiates focuses and serves as motivators for employees for the purpose of achieving the company goals Read more

Chta Honors Stars Of The Industry With Caribbean Employee, Supervisor, Association Executive & Allied Awards

PUERTO RICO - The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) recognized the stars of the Caribbean hospitality industry at this past weekend's Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), which took place Oct. 2 - 4, 2015 at El Conquistador Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Puerto Rico. Those honored, include:Caribbean Tourism Employee of the Year: Andre James, Hyatt Regency TrinidadCaribbean Tourism Supervisor of the Year: Lissa Cuffy, Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach ResortCaribbean National Hotel Association Executive of the Year: Neil Forrester, Antigua Hotels & Tourist AssociationCaribbean Allied Member of the Year: William "Bill" Clegg, Choice Hotels International"These individuals reflect the true spirit of Caribbean tourism professionals Read more

Cuba Getting U.S. Visitors Continues To Be Focus At Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum

THE CARIBBEAN - Cuba: Opportunity or Threat? was the final General Session at the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) in Puerto Rico over the weekend and the general consensus appeared to be cautious optimism based on expectations of diversion of visitors from other countries, but overall a chance to highlight the diversity of the culture of the region.

There was also concurrence that the entire Caribbean can shine as the spotlight falls on Cuba, exposing more potential travelers to the rich diversity and culture of the region.

CHIEF was organized by the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) and held at El Conquistador Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Puerto Rico.

Cuba continued to be the focus of many conversations as the U.S Read more

DP proposes short-term cabinet, electoral reform, election in a year

DP members Giselle York, Sarah Wescot-Williams (leader and MP) and Emil Lee.

PHILIPSBURG--Because snap elections will not solve ship-jumping amongst Members of Parliament, the Democratic Party (DP) says that if it boils down to elections having to be held in the country, the current majority coalition should be given a chance to appoint a “serious” cabinet for 12 months and mandate Parliament to complete electoral reform in a year so that this can be incorporated in the next elections.

DP leader Sarah Wescot-Williams said the party recognised that Governor Eugene Holiday was faced with two basic decisions Read more

Opinion: Something’S Brewing

We know since last night that Governor Holiday sent a letter to Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs. We do not know the content of this letter, but there is no doubt that this will come out some time today.

The past couple of days, two political parties have come out with press conferences where they made their positions clear. The National Alliance nor the Democratic Party fear elections, they say.

Do they really want elections? Not really Read more

In Case Governor Signs Decree To Dissolve Parliament: Dp Proposes Interim Cabinet And Elections After One Year

From left: DP treasurer Giselle York, MP Sarah Wescot-Williams and policy advisor Emil Lee. Photo today / Hilbert Haar

St. Maarten – In case Governor Holiday decides to sign the decree to dissolve parliament and elections follow on December 8, the Democratic Party proposes to annul the current motion, to let the new majority choose “a capable Council of Ministers” and to set the date for the elections one year from the appointment of this council Read more

Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum Opens New Era For Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico  - The just completed successful Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) taking place in Puerto Rico has emerged as a milestone setting the tone for a new era for the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), according the CHTA President Emil Lee.

            "The success of CHIEF is a reflection of our new vision and a validation that we have moved in the right direction," said Emil Lee as more than 250 attendees participated in three days of networking and learning best practices at El Conquistador Resort, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Puerto Rico.  Many of the attendees were next generation employees Read more

Governor will not sign Resolution to call new elections --- What type of stand-off do we have now? (UPDATED)

style="text-align: center;">Several Candidates selected to be screened for Ministerial Posts.

PHILIPSBURG:--- According to information provided to SMN News the Governor of St. Maarten drs. Eugene Holiday convoked Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs to his office on Friday where he informed him that he will not be signing the resolution for new elections since there is a majority in Parliament Read more

St. Maarten hosts event on innovation in the EU’s Overseas Countries and Territories.

>Brussels:---- Anguilla and the Falklands are geographically apart but their representatives are among 15 from the European Union’s Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) gathering in Sint Maarten 5-7 October to brainstorm the same challenge: diversifying economies with innovation. Prime Minister of St Maarten, Marcel F.A. Gumbs, will open the event along with Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications Ernest Sams.
The three-day workshop is part of the European Union- funded project, ‘Territorial Strategies for Innovation’ (April 2014-April 2018) Read more

St. Maarten Hosts Event On Innovation In The Eu’S Overseas Countries And Territories

Brussels - Anguilla and the Falklands are geographically apart but their representatives are among 15 from the European Union’s Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) gathering in Sint Maarten 5-7 October to brainstorm the same challenge: diversifying economies with innovation.

Prime Minister of St Maarten, Marcel F.A. Gumbs, will open the event along with Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications Ernest Sams.

The three-day workshop is part of the European Union- funded project, ‘Territorial Strategies for Innovation’ (April 2014-April 2018) Read more

Chta's 'Chief' To Explore Cuba Impact On Caribbean Tourism; Taps Industry Experts For Insight

THE CARIBBEAN - One of the most highly anticipated panels of the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association's (CHTA) upcoming Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF) is "Cuba: Opportunity or Threat?" which will take place on the closing day of the conference (Sunday, Oct. 4) from 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m."Cuba: Opportunity or Threat?" will delve into how the US-Cuba normalization affects Caribbean business and how hotels can minimize any potential downside impact. Additionally, it will explore the positive opportunities Cuba may present to stimulate the region's growth as a whole.This highly-anticipated session - expected to be standing-room only - will be moderated by Anton Edmunds, Principal, The Edmunds Group International, and will feature the following panelists:Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, Principal Partner, BedfordBakerGroupMarla Dukharan, Group Economist, Caribbean Banking, Royal Bank of CanadaSimon Suarez, President, ASONAHORESHugh Riley, CEO and Secretary General, Caribbean Tourism Organization"The efforts towards the normalization of trade and travel between the United States and Cuba opens the door to a renewed focus on Caribbean tourism," said Edmunds Read more

>PHILIPSBURG: --- Information reaching SMN News states that the eight members of parliament who voted a motion of no confidence against the current Gumbs cabinet already have candidates that will fill the Ministries.
SMN News learnt that Leader of the National Alliance William Marlin will become the next Prime Minister of St Read more

Lake Stays In Parliament, No Seat For Buncamper-Molanus

St. Maarten – Rumors about the makeup of the new cabinet and its possible consequences for seats in parliament spread rapidly yesterday after the fall of the Gumbs cabinet. One such rumor was that Maurice Lake, now independent, would return as the Minister of Vromi; that move would have opened a slot in parliament for Maria Buncamper-Molanus Read more