Marigot:--- President of the EPIC and the Tourist Office of French St. Martin, Ida Zin Ka Ieu at a press conference yesterday outlined the promotional plan for this year. Zin Ka Ieu made clear that the French and Dutch Tourist Office are working rather closely in promoting the island. She said whatever problems there were in the past no longer exists since she is managing the EPIC. "I want everyone to know that I personally do not have a problem with Regina Labega Director of the Dutch Tourist Office we work very closely". One of the other highlights Zin Ka Ieu gave on the Tourist Office is the fact there are 15 employees who are working as a team to promote the island in Europe, North America, and the Caribbean. Over the last three months she said she had sent one of the team members to Canada, another to the Caribbean Islands of Martinique and St. Lucia, one to Miami Florida while the other one went to Paris France. The team she said comprises of Carine Piper, Aida Weinum, Aurora Brookson and Kate Richardson.
Zin Ka Ieu said it is the first time the French side has embarked on sending the team to these promotional activities since in the past it was the elected officials who were travelling overseas on behalf of the island.
Zin Ka Ieu said just last week the Territorial Council voted their primitive budget where there is 3.1 million Euros allocated to Tourism. She said that money was placed in the budget based on the plans her office provided for the EPIC. The EPIC president said she wants to make clear that she is the president of the Tourist Board and she is also part of the commission that handles the monies in the Collectivity. She explained that despite the differences in personalities she would do what is necessary to make sure the people's business and monies are well spent. Zin Ka Ieu said she wants to make clear that it is absolutely necessary for the two entities to work together on marketing St. Martin. "While everyone may be concerned about how the promotion would take place she assured she is at both chains to representing tourism.
Another guarantee Zin Ka Ieu gave is that the monies that is allocated for tourism will be spent on that since she does not intend to use these monies for personal vacations and other matters. She said when she and her team travels overseas on behalf of the Tourist Office they work solely for the Tourist Office and likewise when they travel for their personal affairs it would be at their expense.