PHILIPSBURG:--- Destination: St. Maarten/St. Martin was well represented by the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB) at the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) 2024. At this year's convention, STB, represented by Cherinah Franken - Head of Product Development & Visitor Relations, and Rosette Generlette-Pantophlet, Secretary & Product Development Assistant, hosted an interactive and informative workshop for 100+ travel agents, eagerly anticipating poignant selling points to promote destination St. Maarten among their customers and associates. Themed "EXPERIENCE Sweet St. Maarten/St. Martin," this immersive workshop was facilitated by IMBRACE Group's CEO, Jacqueline Louis, with supporting performances by Funtopia's cultural ambassadors.

All core aspects of St. Maarten's tourism products were passionately shared with conference attendees through a multi-sensory presentation. This included using vibrant visuals, rhythmic local music, cultural singing, and dancing, along with a sweet and savory taste of Colombier Guavaberry and tarts. Strategically designed to awaken the minds, souls, hearts, and spirits of all participants, compelling information regarding the destination of St. Maarten was uniquely intertwined. The details ranged from the local history, geography, culture, and ecology - including beaches and St. Maarten's diverse landscapes, agriculture, and adventures, to cruise ports, hotels, restaurants, transportation, events, and activities, as well as the countless sites to see, things to do and places to go on the island.

Furthermore, STB's participation included an on-site display booth that showcased the destination to thousands of Conference attendees at the Broward/Fort Lauderdale Convention Center. Direct one-on-one interactions and ongoing networking also promoted St. Maarten by providing pertinent information to busloads of inquisitive participants.

Working seamlessly together, Team St. Maarten successfully achieved the desired objectives, which included raising awareness and inciting the desires of travel agents to visit and explore destination St. Maarten personally. Many conference attendees expressed their inspiration and enthusiasm to keep the island at the forefront of their minds by encouraging CLIA's wide-ranging global membership and their respective customer bases to vacation on the island.

Internationally recognized as the only official conference of the cruise industry, CLIA Cruise360 brings together travel professionals, cruise line representatives, ports, destinations, industry suppliers, and CLIA-preferred partners for a truly panoramic view of the cruise industry. The CLIA community includes the world's most prestigious ocean, river, and specialty cruise lines; a highly trained and certified travel agent community; and widespread industry stakeholders, including ports & destinations, ship development, suppliers, and business services.

CLIA represents 95% of the world’s ocean-going cruise capacity and 54,000 travel agents, including 15,000 of the largest travel agencies in the world. Jointly, CLIA's membership encompasses the world's largest cruise industry trade association, which provides a unified voice and leading authority of the global cruise community. CLIA supports policies and practices that foster a secure, healthy, and sustainable cruise ship environment, promoting positive travel experiences for more than 30 million passengers who have cruised annually.

PHILIPSBURG:--- In the wake of the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the formation of the new government in St. Maarten, the Honorable demissionair Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), and Member of Parliament for the United People’s Party, Omar Ottley says, "Formateur Dr Luc Mercelina should be more forthcoming about the results of the screening process in the interest of transparency to the electorate.”

As St. Maarten finds itself embroiled in a political saga during carnival, the fate of ministerial candidates hangs in the balance. The public, ministerial candidates and their families are now gripped by uncertainty as the screening process for potential ministers unfolds amid allegations of lack of transparency and political maneuvering. A major concern is the prolonged delay in announcing the screening process results, with no information forthcoming from the Formateur, leaving many candidates in limbo.

At the heart of the controversy lies the screening law, a fourteen-year-old statute designed to ensure ministerial candidates meet the requirements for holding office. However, without clear-cut criteria outlined in the law, there have been accusations of the process being manipulated to exclude certain candidates from assuming ministerial roles. Dr Luc Mercelina, the appointed Candidate Prime Minister tasked with forming the government, has come under fire for the perceived lack of transparency and communication surrounding the screening process. Speaking on behalf of the United People's Party, Ottley has called for swift action to resolve the impasse and avoid further delays in government formation.

"Enough is enough," declares Ottley. "The people of St. Maarten deserve a government that works for their interests, not one shrouded in secrecy and uncertainty. It's time for the Formateur to stop playing games and clarify which candidates will be sworn in."

The situation has reached a boiling point as conflicting reports emerge regarding the status of ministerial candidates. While newspaper articles hint at a full slate of seven ministers being sworn in, press releases from coalition parties hint at potential issues with certain candidates failing background checks.

As the clock ticks down to the swearing-in ceremony, tensions run high. The public and even the President of Parliament remain uncertain about the swearing-in date of Thursday this week as she, too, has yet to be informed. Ottley's impassioned plea for transparency resonates with many, who fear that the prolonged uncertainty may undermine the stability and effectiveness of the new government.

Amid the turmoil, Ottley remains steadfast in his commitment to upholding the democratic principles upon which St. Maarten's governance is built. "We cannot afford to let political gamesmanship overshadow the will of the people," he asserts. "Either candidates are sworn in, or they're not. It's time for decisive action."
As St. Maarten braces for the next chapter in its political saga, the nation's eyes remain fixed on the screening process's outcome. It hopes for a resolution that will pave the way for a government that truly serves the interests of its citizens.

Ottley reflected on his struggles with the screening process, where he was kept from being a minister for 14 months until he challenged the outcome and was vindicated of any wrongdoing and allowed to serve as a minister, where he earned the title of "Minister of Everything" based on his work ethics. After 14 years of this challenge, as an MP, I am hopeful that something will finally be done to make the process clear. Ottley expressed his shared sentiments for candidate ministers, such as MP Christophe Emmanuel, Raeyhon Peterson, and others, who should not have to sit on "pins and needles" waiting to learn if they will be allowed to serve their Country.

He said that as Ministers, the present government had not been allowed to work for over three months because the demissionair status of the Ministers sitting means that the Country has had slow to little progress for over three months. A further delay will weaken the island's economy.

Even the civil service have expressed their concerns of uncertainty about what policy priorities to continue to invest time in knowing the current position of Dr. Luc Mercelina on certain subjects. For example, the draft law SAAHA also known as Ottley Cares which will not only allow for sole proprietors, bus drivers, taxi drivers, etc to enter SZV.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Department of Communication (DCOMM) Documentalist Lee Williams recently returned from Aruba, attending a National Digital Heritage Strategy Symposium under the banner “Dutch Caribbean Digital Heritage Week” that was held by Coleccion Aruba.

The Prins Bernard Culture Funds section Caribbean is working with stakeholders to preserve the Dutch island's heritage.

The objective of the working visit is to develop a National Archives of Sint Maarten, which entails digitalizing government historical records, videos, and photo collections from the past that had to be salvaged from hurricanes Irma and Maria. The aforementioned would be the nation’s first digital heritage archive of all materials created.

More than 150 heritage organizations work together in the Digital Heritage Network, with the aim of creating a network of digitally connected heritage that is easily findable and usable for various user groups and stakeholders.

The National Digital Heritage Strategy describes how heritage collections can be digitally connected in a sustainable manner. It is of great value that the collections in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom are also sustainably preserved, managed, and made accessible.

The key objectives for all participants are: Mapping existing connections between heritage organizations, individuals, and policymakers; Exploring the power of an organizational network: how and where do people know where to find each other?

To map existing knowledge and resources; Identify knowledge and resource exchange; Identify needs regarding support for heritage organizations and heritage management persons; and the introduction to the Netwerk Digitaal Erfgoed and the National Strategy Digital Heritage.

The conference took place from April 8 – 12.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- During the 2024 Carnival season there will be lots to eat and drink. In connection with safe food preparation at home or grabbing a bite from food kiosks; street market vendors; booth holders; and other points of sale, the Collective Prevention Services (CPS), reminds the public of the importance to observe and practice safe food handling.

Gastroenteritis is the inflammation of the stomach and intestine, and is usually due to infection by viruses, bacteria or to food-poisoning toxins. The associated symptoms with gastroenteritis are diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, nausea, fever, and headache. The most common symptoms are vomiting and repeated episodes of diarrhea (three or more episodes within 24 hours). To ensure proper diagnosis, care, and treatment, consult your house doctor, who may refer you to your local laboratory for sample collection.

Unsafe food poses health threats, endangering everyone. Infants, young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with an underlying illness are particularly vulnerable.

Infection can spread when bacteria found in feces or vomit is transferred to other objects. Bacteria can be transferred through poor hygiene. It is spread through contamination of hands, objects or food infected with the aforementioned.

For example, if someone does not wash their hands properly after going to the toilet, any viruses or bacteria on their hands will be transferred to whatever they touch, such as glass, kitchen utensil or food.

To prevent the spread of the infection, wash your hands thoroughly after going to the toilet and before eating or preparing food; regularly clean hard surface/counters and wipe down with bleach solution. Make it a routine habit to adhere to proper hand hygiene and cough etiquette.

Cross-contamination of food occurs when bacteria is transferred between different foods, from food to surfaces, and from surfaces to food. It is important to be aware of cross-contamination when preparing and storing food.

You can avoid food poisoning and keep yourself and others safe by: preparing food hygienically; not washing raw meat, fish and poultry; washing fruit and vegetables; storing food properly; cleaning recyclable plastics carefully; using shopping bags safely; and cleaning any reusable containers properly.

Temperature control is essential for food safety. Using temperature controls minimizes the potential for harmful bacterial growth and toxin formation in food. Temperature
controls either keep food entirely out of the danger zone or pass food through the danger zone as quickly as possible.

If food temperatures do not meet requirements or if food shows evidence of previous temperature abuse, do not accept the food, or discard the products.

If a food handler, a caretaker, or persons, are diagnosed with gastroenteritis, with your physician’s consultation, you should remain at home and practice good hygiene while you recuperate.

This will help to mitigate the further spread of gastroenteritis cases within the community. Be on the alert and help minimize the spread of foodborne diseases by taking the necessary hygienic and preventive steps.

Proper hand hygiene helps in preventing bacteria and germs. Let us collectively have a safe, healthy, and enjoyable Carnival Season 2024.

For more information call CPS at 542-1122, 542-1222, 542-1322 and 542-1570; or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.