PHILIPSBURG:--- The Department of Statistics (STAT) reports continued positive developments in the tourism sector for the second quarter of 2025.

Airport Passenger Arrivals

Because of the change in methodology, direct comparisons with data from previous years cannot be made. To maintain some level of continuity during this transition and following the advice of PJIAE, STAT used the January to December 2024 airport arrival figures as a baseline, adjusted by deducting 10% to account for resident travelers. This adjustment is consistent with historical Immigration Office data collected over the past decade.

It should be noted that PJIAE has not traditionally served as the Department’s primary source for visitor arrival data, since their system provides only aggregated passenger counts and does not differentiate between residents and non-residents.

Although the methodologies differ, the adjusted 2024 estimate (using a deduction of 10% accounting for St. Maarten residents) provides a reasonable benchmark for approximate comparison. Without such an adjustment, only the total number of visitor arrivals in 2025 could be presented, without the context of growth figures or year-over-year changes.

Given the above-mentioned, St. Maarten recorded 209,876 airport passenger arrivals in Q2 2025. This represents a 16.9% increase compared to 179,552 for the same period in 2024.

This growth underscores the improved accuracy and reliability of arrival records, which are now based on consistently applied criteria that exclude Sint Maarten residents, transit passengers, and transfer passengers. STAT uses these figures as the official benchmark for passenger movements through Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE).

Cruise Passengers
The cruise sector also posted similar results in Q2 2025. Preliminary data show that 236,391 cruise passengers arrived between April and June 2025, an increase of 14% compared to the 207,428 recorded during the same quarter in 2024.

This growth underscores St. Maarten’s position as a thriving port of call in the Caribbean.

Tourism Sector Outlook
Together, both air and cruise tourism indicators highlight a healthy and growing industry. Passenger movements provide insight into overall visitor traffic through the airport, while cruise arrivals reinforce St. Maarten’s strength as a hub for day visitors.

For more information and updates, please visit: http://stats.sintmaartengov.org.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  Caribbean Wellness Day (CWD) will be observed across the region on Saturday, September 13, reminding Caribbean communities to take action and maintain healthy lifestyles under the theme ‘Engage, Empower, Elevate: Working Together to Improve Health and Well-being for All.’

CWD is also about promoting collectively good health and well-being of the whole of society, the Collective Prevention Service (CPS), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (Ministry VSA) said.

The burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the Caribbean has reached epidemic proportions, representing one of the most significant public health and economic challenges facing the region.

With NCDs like cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes accounting for over 75% of all deaths, the region has one of the highest rates of premature mortality from these conditions in the world.

This crisis is fueled by a number of behavioral risk factors, including unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption.

The high prevalence of NCDs places a tremendous strain on healthcare systems, which are often ill-equipped to manage the long-term, chronic nature of these illnesses, thereby impeding progress toward universal health coverage.

Beyond the human toll, NCDs exact a profound economic cost on Caribbean nations. The direct costs from healthcare expenditures, coupled with the indirect costs from lost productivity due to absenteeism, disability, and premature death, are estimated to be between 1.36% and 8% of the region's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

NCDs are prevalent in Sint Maarten, and CPS uses its annual Health Observance Calendar (HOC), which highlights Caribbean Wellness Day, as well as raising awareness about NCDs that impact the community, such as hypertension, diabetes, prostate cancer, and breast cancer. 

CPS is urging all citizens to assess their eating habits and behaviors to identify areas for improvement and prevent chronic diseases.

Many cancers are attributable to lifestyles acquired while persons mature from youngsters to the aged (adulthood).  Changes made to poor dietary practices and a lack of activity, such as exercise, can greatly improve a person's health outcomes and overall wellness. 

CPS encourages members of the community to consult with their family physician or other health-related organizations to learn more about healthy lifestyles and take action to improve their overall wellness.

CPS also encourages residents to participate and get involved in promoting health and wellness in their neighborhoods. Influencing positive lifestyle changes is achieved by working together to improve community and individual health.

The CARICOM Heads of Summit on Chronic Diseases in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, September 2007, established Caribbean Wellness Day.

Caribbean Wellness Day is observed every year on the second Saturday of September.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Foresee Foundation is proud to announce new appointments to its Board and team as part of its continued growth and commitment to community development.

The Foundation is pleased to welcome Felisha Aakster as Secretary and Dwight Williams as Treasurer and Vice-President.

With extensive experience in non-formal education, youth engagement, and program development in St. Maarten, the wider Dutch Caribbean, and the Netherlands, Felisha Aakster brings valuable expertise to support Foresee Foundation’s organizational development and capacity-building efforts.

Dwight Williams has more than 19 years of experience in the financial sector on St. Maarten. Currently working as a Financial Consultant, he specializes in banking, institutional financing, and accounting policies.

The Foundation also warmly welcomes Ludmila Duncan as the new Co-Director of the Executive Board. Based in the Netherlands, Ludmila will represent Foresee Foundation internationally while supporting St. Maarten’s NGO sector and contributing to several Foresee projects. As a former Member of Parliament, a community-driven leader, and an accomplished consultant and researcher, she brings extensive expertise and a strong network that will help expand the Foundation’s regional and global reach.

In addition to changes at the Board level, the Foundation has strengthened its team with the addition of Ashma Berkel, a passionate advocate for the most vulnerable in society. She will manage the office and provide logistical support across the NPOwer program and other initiatives.

Sahar Thomson, a young professional from St. Maarten, has joined as Island Team Lead for the Strengthening Families Together program—a three-year collaboration with Curaçao and Aruba, in partnership with Oranje Fonds and Stichting Kinderpostzegels. She also supports digital innovation across various Foresee Foundation projects, bringing fresh energy and new perspectives.

The Foundation extends heartfelt gratitude to Rajesh Chintaman, who recently concluded his tenure with the organization after nearly four years of dedicated service. Appreciation is also expressed to all former board members for their contributions as the Foundation enters a new phase of strengthened governance and operational capacity.

With its renewed Board and growing team of committed professionals, Foresee Foundation is well-positioned to continue its mission of empowering civil society through innovative, inclusive, and impactful programming.