Business View Caribbean | April 2019

53 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN APRIL 2019 St. Maarten M I N I S T R Y O F TOURISM, ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, TRAFFIC, AND TELECOMMUNICATION W ith memories of Hurricane Irma fading into the distance, the forecast calls for sunny skies and positive growth ahead for the idyllic island of Sint Maarten. Vital work is being done to boost the tourism product and make it more sustainable, and each milestone is being highlighted to show the strength and commitment to the country’s revitalization as a must-go Caribbean destination. Business View Caribbean recently spoke with the Honorable Stuart A. Johnson, Minister of St. Maarten Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic, and Telecommunication (TEATT) about the challenges facing his Ministry during this historic time of renewal in his country. The following is an edited transcript of that conversation. BVC: Congratulations on your first few months as Minister. What personal experience do you bring to the role? Minister Johnson: “I took the oath of office on June 25, 2018 and it has been a very good year. Before coming into the Ministry, I was the youngest public education school principal in St. Maarten. Having been in a leadership role, in terms of dealing with students and adults, and managing, I brought that experience, first-off, into the organization. Along with my A V E R Y G O O D Y E A R pictured Hon. Minister Stuart Johnson