Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines:--- The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority welcomes the announcement made by the Hon. Carlos James, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sustainable Development and Culture, during the State of the Tourism Industry Address and Stakeholders’ Conference on 15th September, 2025, of a major expansion of the nation’s hotel room stock with four new hotel projects set for development over the next 36 months.

Currently, St Vincent and the Grenadines has a room stock of 3,349.  With the addition of these new projects together with the formal inclusion of Airbnb and short-term rental listings representing approximately 400 properties amount to 1,100 rooms, the country’s total room stock is projected to reach over 4,450 rooms by 2026/2027.  This will represent a 34.55% increase over 2025 levels, significantly enhancing the Island’s capacity to host larger groups, destination events, international conferences, and longer-stay visitors.

The four new projects announced include:

Peter’s Hope Resort Development Project- A 280-room beachfront flagship Marriott Autograph Collection hotel.  Beaches St. Vincent and the Grenadines-  A 360-room family resort to be constructed at private Mt. Wynne.  Palm Island Development- A new project with phase one scheduled to open in December 2026.  And, Cumberland Bay Resort Development Project- A 150-room beachfront resort featuring  overwater bungalows, cottages, and a hotel and small marina.

These developments, with an estimated capital investment of close to EC$2 billion, are expected to generate more than 2,000 jobs across the hospitality sector and related industries, while also addressing seasonality and expanding opportunities for group travel, weddings, conferences, and high-value leisure markets.

In announcing the projects, the Hon. Carlos James, Minister of Tourism, stated:

“These new developments represent more than additional rooms, they signify a transformation of our tourism product, strengthening St Vincent and the Grenadines’ competitiveness on the global stage.  We are committed to ensuring these investments are developed sustainably, aligning with our broad-based economic model and creating real opportunities for our people.  This is not mass tourism, but a structured, forward-looking approach to tourism development that balances growth, community benefit, and environmental stewardship.”

Welcoming the announcement, Annette Mark, Chief Executive Officer of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority, emphasised the importance of this expansion for the destination’s growth trajectory:

“The addition of these four landmark hotel projects marks a defining moment for tourism in St Vincent and the Grenadines.  With increased room stock, we will be able to attract larger events, expand into new markets, and deepen our reach in group travel, MICE, and romance tourism.  This expansion also creates significant opportunities for local communities, suppliers, and service providers to benefit directly from the tourism value chain.”

The St Vincent and the Grenadines Tourism Authority reaffirmed its commitment to supporting these developments through enhanced marketing, data-driven visitor engagement, and stakeholder partnerships to ensure that the benefits of this historic hotel expansion are felt across the country.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The House of Parliament will sit in a Public meeting on September 17, 2025. 

The Public meeting which was adjourned on August 27, 2025 will be reconvened on Wednesday at 11.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of Finance will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:

2. Ontwerplandsverordening houdende regels met betrekking tot een basisbetaalrekening voor consumenten (Landsverordening basisbetaalrekening) (Zittingsjaar 2023-2024-174) (IS/292/2023-2024 d.d. 20 december 2023)

Draft National Ordinance containing rules regarding a basic payment account for consumers (National Ordinance basic payment account) (Parliamentary year 2023-2024-174) (IS/292/2023-2024 dated 20 December 2023)

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg. 

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament and www.pearlfmradio.sx

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Finance, Ms. Marinka Gumbs, following up on the post published on her official Facebook page and the Government of Sint Maarten’s official Facebook page on July 8, 2025, extends her gratitude to the public for actively engaging and submitting names of businesses that continue to impose minimum purchase requirements when customers use bank cards.

This practice is in direct violation of vendor agreements with the banks. As outlined in those agreements, such requirements are not permitted. In fact, the St. Maarten Bankers Association issued a public statement last year explicitly confirming that vendors must comply with the following rules:

1. No additional fees may be charged for card payments.
2. No minimum purchase limits may be imposed.
3. Both MasterCard and Visa cards must be accepted.
4. Card acceptance markings must be clearly displayed.

Despite this, non-compliance continues at several businesses.

On August 28, 2025, Minister of Finance, Ms. Marinka Gumbs officially sent a letter with the list of businesses received from the public to the Bankers Association, requesting that the matter be investigated and that appropriate follow-up and enforcement be carried out in line with the Association’s own statement. The Minister has also requested that an update be provided to her office. Any cases of non-compliance, as previously stated in the Bankers Association’s press release last year, can be reported directly to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

As this matter concerns a breach of vendor agreements rather than a violation of law, the Bankers Association is the responsible authority to enforce compliance. However, Minister Gumbs has initiated discussions with the Minister of TEATT and other Ministers to explore the possibility of linking compliance with this rule to the issuance of business licenses. Such a measure would provide Government with a direct mechanism to address violations. While these discussions are still in the early stages, the Minister views this as a potential step toward greater adherence and accountability.

“As we move toward a more digital economy, we cannot continue to allow practices that force customers to spend money they do not intend to spend simply to use their bank cards,” Minister Gumbs stated. She also acknowledged vendors concerns regarding transaction fees and confirmed that this issue is being discussed with the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) to explore solutions.

The Minister of Finance Ms. Marinka Gumbs emphasized that while broader financial reforms take time, it is important to begin with concrete actions to enforce change and protect consumers.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Library Board proudly announces the official start of the demolition of its former library building, which was severely damaged by Hurricane Irma in 2017. This milestone marks not just the clearing away of bricks and mortar, but the beginning of a new chapter in the cultural and educational heart of Sint Maarten.

Since the devastation eight years ago, the Library has continued to serve the community from a smaller, temporary location, ensuring access to knowledge, literacy programs, and cultural activities. Now, with the demolition of the old site, preparations are underway for the construction of a modern, innovative library that will meet the needs of current and future generations.

“This is more than just a demolition,” said Joseanne R. Peterson, Chairlady of the Sint Maarten Library Board. “It is a symbolic moment of transformation. We are clearing the way for a new space that reflects our vision: a library that is resilient, future-ready, and deeply rooted in the community.”

The new library building will embody modern design, functionality, and inclusivity, offering not only books and resources, but also technology, creativity hubs, and community spaces.

The Board extends heartfelt thanks to the Government of Sint Maarten, stakeholders, and the community for their continued support throughout this journey.

“As Sint Maarteners, we have always proven ourselves to be a resilient people,” added Peterson. “This next step shows that no matter the challenges, we rise, rebuild, and look forward with hope.”