Philipsburg: ---- A total of Naf 840, 000 has been turned over to the island government to begin its marketing stimulus plan. Bart Pasman a representative of USONA along with commissioner of Tourism Frans Richardson signed the agreement on Tuesday. Bart Pasman from USONA said the monies that are turned over to the island government are the first phase of the stimulus plan. He said the program was done through cooperation with the project bureau and the tourism department. Pasman said after several discussions it was decided that the project will be done in phases and the first phase is to begin marketing online. According to expectation, they are expecting a 7% increase in tourism compare to last year.
Pasman said USONA would be working on the other phases shortly.
Commissioner of Tourism Frans Richardson thanked those persons who worked on the project prior to him taking office. Richardson said now that this money is available they would be able to address the US market from where they have lost a significant amount of business. He said the US market is about 50% of the total amount of arrivals to the island.
The commissioner called on the private sector to put their money where their mouth is and come up with what they have promised to provide in the stimulus. He said that already American Airline has committed to invest some $400.000 while St. Maarten has to add the same amount if they are to aggressively market the island. He said already the island government has some $100, 000 while they are hoping that the private sector would come up with the balance so that they can use the opportunity given to the island by American Airlines. The commissioner said that while government has a role to the play the private sector has theirs. He said while St. Maarten is a preferred destination the island has to be out there like the other islands.
Richardson said that now that they have the first phase monies they are expecting to be in the market by September 15 they could begin marketing for the high season.
