PHILIPSBURG:--- The Caribbean paradise of St. Maarten/St. Martin (www.vacationstmaarten.com) has seen an increase in travel demand by nearly 20 percent from 2013, according to a new report released by Expedia Group.
"We believe that St. Maarten/St. Martin has the ideal conditions to grow further as a tourist destination, which is why it represents a growing market for us in the Caribbean," said Demetrius Canton, director of market management in the Caribbean for Expedia. "It is our privilege to promote the destination to our global audience of travelers."
"St. Maarten is a destination that is as unique as it is beautiful. These statistics reinforce that our island is continuing to grow as a preferred destination of choice for global travelers and the public and private sectors are diligently working together to ensure our visitors have an amazing experience," said Edward Dest, interim director of tourism for the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau.
The undisputed gastronomical capital of the Caribbean, St. Maarten/St. Martin is home to 37 square miles of breathtaking beaches and boasts numerous historical and family-oriented attractions.
During the day, watersport enthusiasts can take advantage of the island's scuba diving and snorkeling facilities, while the capital of Philipsburg offers duty-free shopping with a friendly city atmosphere.
By night, travelers can visit one of fourteen world-class, Vegas-style casinos or dance the night away to the beats and rhythms of the world's trendiest DJs at a variety of nightclubs all designed to provide endless entertainment.
With the widest variety of dining experiences compared to any other Caribbean island, Dutch and French St. Maarten offer a diverse range of international and local cuisines with more than 365 restaurants. It is also the only Caribbean island with more than one establishment ranked on TripAdvisor's "Travelers' Favorite Fine Dining Restaurants - Caribbean 2013" list and the island was also listed as one of American travelers' "Top 10 Most Popular Destinations Worldwide" in 2013 by Fodor's Travel.
For more information on St. Maarten, visit the official site of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau at www.VacationStMaarten.com.
