84 July 2016 - Business View Caribbean
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Port of St. Maarten adds amenities to boost tourism produc
T
he island on which it sits is a world-recognized
cruise destination. But incoming and outgoing
cruise ships are not the only thing keeping
people busy at the Port of St. Maarten.
The port’s management went from public to private
in 1989, and, following the devastation caused by
hurricanes Luis and Marilyn in 1995, the urgency to
rebuild was renewed in the form of the Modified SMPA
1996 Layout, which eventually resulted in construction
of the modern facility.
Another development item has been the creation of
Harbour Point Village, a complex consisting of 12 shops
and 12 market stalls that’s intended for cruise visitors
who chose not to leave the boat on an organized
tour, or for those who did leave the vessel but had no
opportunity to purchase souvenirs.
The basic village concept was to duplicate old
buildings and enhance the nostalgic feel of the capital
city of Philipsburg, which was of particular importance
to differentiate the village from the island’s other high-
quality shopping centers.
No fewer than eight cruise ships arrived to the port
on a single day last December, making it the single
biggest day of the season and the only day on which
more than 22,000 passengers would be in the port
at one time. Greeting the arriving passengers was a
laundry list of activities that included a live broadcast by
a local radio station, holiday caroling and live music and
dancing.
The Carnival Dream ship arrived with 3,652 cruise
passengers, the Celebrity Reflection brought another
3,030 and was followed by the Crystal Serenity
(1,096), the Norwegian Gem (2,466), the Norwegian
Sun (2,250), the Oasis of the Seas (5,400), the Ventura
(3,100) and the Westerdam (1,848).
The previous record gathering at the port was in
2005, when nine ships and 18,000 passengers arrived.
“Cruise tourism is what makes our country tick,” said
Mark Mingo, CEO of the St. Maarten Harbour Group
of Companies. “It is a very important segment of our
economy and we have to do everything to protect it
and safeguard our visitors in order for them and the
cruise lines to continue to visit our destination.”
Going forward, the island’s top leaders have even
more in mind.
An introductory guide for foreign investors – the
St. Maarten Investors’ Guide 20/20 – aims to indicate
what the country has to offer investors and illustrate the
directions in which it is heading. A DVD was presented
as a preview of what the guide will include.
The scheduled expansion of the Panama Canal is
seen as a watershed moment for the island, which,
according to the guide, will enable St. Maarten to
expand its port operations – air and sea – to provide
sub-hub transportation services between Latin America
and Europe.
Other aims include the attraction of boat yard,
maintenance and repair interests, along with other
service providers, to enhance the stay of the island’s
visiting yacht operators.
Small renewable energy manufacturers are also
sought, as are small and medium-sized marketing,
advertising and promotional companies to promote
and distribute European and Latin American products
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