CAY HILL:---  St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) marked International Nurses Day on Tuesday, May 12th, 2026, under the theme “Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives” with a short ceremony dedicated to its nurses who make quality patient-centered care possible every day.
The celebration kicked off with a flag hoisting at the main entrance, bringing staff and guests together before the program moved inside. Nrs. Candida Williams, Hygiene and Infection Control (HIC) Practitioner, served as MC, welcoming guests and staff to the celebration. The program opened with a prayer by Nrs. Alisha Dottin of the Outpatient Department and a poem by Nrs. Toran Romain of OB/GYN, two moments that set a tone of reflection and gratitude that carried through the entire ceremony.
Nrs. Jacqueline Berkel, President of Windward Island Healthcare Union Association (WIHUA), addressed the audience on the value of nursing and what it means to show up for patients every day. Remarks on behalf of SMMC Management and Board of Directors were delivered by SMMC CEO Dr. Felix Holiday.
“As we transition to your new hospital, I want to encourage you to continue showing up with the same commitment to your patients. The work you do is powerful. It is meaningful. And it saves lives in ways that cannot be measured,” said Dr. Felix Holiday.
Nrs. Abigail Athanase of the Outpatient Department performed a musical rendition before Nrs. Travin Joseph of the SXM Nurses Association led the audience in the Nurses' Pledge.
Words of encouragement were shared by Nrs. Sherryl Carty, Supervisor of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Pediatrics Wards. Closing remarks on behalf of the staff were delivered by the Outpatient Care Manager, Mrs. Christina Jacobs, before Nrs. Cecilia Jankie of Pediatrics closed the ceremony with a prayer.
“Together we build a better SMMC, one compassionate care moment at a time, keep leading the way.” Said Nrs Sherryl Carty of OB/GYN and Pediatrics.
International Nurses Day is observed every year on May 12th, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, to recognize the contributions of nurses around the world. SMMC thanks its nurses for ensuring that friendly, high-quality, patient-centered care close to home is a reality for the people of St. Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:--- In light of the recent reaction by Kingdom Minister of Foreign Affairs Berendsen in defense of the Kingdom’s abstention during the UN vote on a resolution declaring the transatlantic slave trade the gravest crime against humanity, Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams says the explanation offered thus far falls short of what is required.

MP Wescot-Williams confirmed that she also has formally requested clarity from the Prime Minister of Sint Maarten through parliamentary questions, seeking answers on the Kingdom’s position, the role and involvement of the countries within the Kingdom, and the implications of the abstention for ongoing conversations about reparations, acknowledgment, and reconciliation.

According to Wescot-Williams, “A simple promise to do better in the future is not sufficient. This vote by the Kingdom will live on and will inevitably make future attempts at reparations and reconciliation appear disingenuous.”

She emphasized that statements of regret, apologies, and commitments to confront the legacy of slavery lose credibility when they are contradicted by actions on the international stage.

“The abstention sends the wrong signal, particularly to Caribbean people whose ancestors endured centuries of exploitation and whose societies continue to experience the structural consequences of that history,” the MP stated.

Wescot-Williams further argued that the Kingdom now has an obligation to repair the political and moral damage caused by the abstention and to demonstrate, through clear and principled action, that its commitment to reparatory justice is sincere.

“This abstention by the Kingdom needs to be repaired,” she concluded.

The MP noted that the responses from the Sint Maarten Prime Minister will help clarify whether Sint Maarten was consulted or informed beforehand and whether the interests and sensitivities of the Caribbean countries within the Kingdom were adequately represented in the Kingdom’s final position.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Public Prosecutor’s Office has filed an appeal against the verdicts of the Court of First Instance of Sint Maarten in the “Lisbon” criminal case, which concerns bribery of public officials. The appeal was filed in the cases of Rolando Brison, Robbie, A. Dos Santos, and Sunil L.Gehani. 
The Court rendered its judgment in this case on April 29. The main defendant, R.B., was suspected of accepting bribes from three individuals while serving as a member of the Parliament of Sint Maarten, including bribes in exchange for favoring them.
The Court ruled that bribery could not be proven in two cases. In one case, the Court did find bribery proven.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office has reviewed the verdicts but does not agree with several of the Court’s legal considerations, nor with the sentence imposed. For that reason, it has been decided to file an appeal against the verdicts in the cases of R.B., R.A.D.S., and S.L.G..
The Public Prosecutor’s Office emphasizes that cases of this nature strike at the heart of democratic governance. Integrity in public office is essential to maintaining public trust and ensuring that decisions are made in the interest of society as a whole, without being influenced by personal gain.
Corruption, both passive and active, undermines fair decision-making, distorts economic opportunities, and erodes trust in public institutions. Addressing such conduct remains a priority within the broader efforts to uphold the rule of law in Sint Maarten.
The “Lisbon” investigation was conducted by the Joint Investigation Team (RST) led by the Central Team of the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. RST is a multidisciplinary investigative unit active in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom and focuses on complex and cross-border criminal investigations.
The Central Team focuses on a specialized approach to combating corruption and subversive crime. The team conducts criminal investigations with a financial-economic component that may involve, among others, politically exposed persons (PEPs), public officials, government entities, facilitators, and public sector organizations.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office will further appeal the case to the Joint Court of Justice.

CHTA and Amadeus unveil the 2026 Caribbean Travel Trends Report at Caribbean Travel Forum in Antigua, charting a region focused on smarter targeting, higher-value travelers, and year-round demand

ANTIGUA (May 13, 2026) – The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) and Amadeus, a global leader in travel technology, yesterday unveiled the 2026 Caribbean Travel Trends Report at the Caribbean Travel Forum 2026 in Antigua. The report finds that Caribbean tourism is entering a new strategic phase, one defined less by rapid post-pandemic recovery and more by the need to diversify demand, capture higher-value travelers, and unlock growth beyond traditional peak periods.

Drawing on Amadeus Travel Intelligence data covering air travel, hospitality, and traveler behavior from April 2025 through March 2026, the report shows that overseas demand to the Caribbean grew just 1 percent year over year, a clear moderation from the 21 percent and 8 percent gains recorded in the two prior years. With post-recovery momentum stabilizing, the region’s next chapter will be shaped by data-driven targeting, market diversification, and the ability to convert traveler intent into bookings at the moments that matter most.

What the Data Shows: A Region Recalibrating for Higher-Value Growth

Latin America emerges as a strategic growth engine. Demand from Latin American source markets grew 24 percent year over year, with premium travel from South America surging 117 percent. Peru posted a 192 percent increase in premium travel and Argentina followed at 164 percent, reinforcing the Caribbean’s appeal among the region’s most affluent travelers and opening a powerful new diversification channel beyond traditional North American and European markets.

Smaller destinations are driving the region’s momentum. While top-tier destinations held flat year over year, second-tier destinations grew 2 percent, signaling that recent growth is increasingly being driven by smaller markets expanding from a lower base. Dominica led the region with 22 percent year-over-year growth, supported by improved air connectivity and rising demand for nature- and adventure-focused travel. Sint Maarten followed at 18 percent, reflecting its dual appeal as a destination in its own right and a vital gateway to Saint Martin, Anguilla, and St. Barthélemy.

The Caribbean leads on accessibility and value. The average economy fare from the U.S. to the Caribbean was $385, making the region 32 percent more affordable than South America at $569 and broadly comparable with Central America at $387. Miami offers the lowest average fare at $315, well below New York at $349 and San Francisco at $545, supporting sustained demand from the region’s most important long-haul source markets.

Hotel revenue strengthens at peak, with clear room to grow off-peak. Caribbean hotels delivered RevPAR of $183 per night during the high season, a 5.2 percent year-over-year increase, while end-of-year holiday RevPAR climbed to $283. Low-season RevPAR held at $125, well below peak levels and pointing to clear headroom for destinations that successfully engage shoulder- and off-season travelers.

South American travelers are unlocking year-round demand. Brazil delivered 60 percent growth in low-season arrivals, the fastest among South American source markets, while Colombia, the region’s largest South American source market by share, posted 26 percent low-season growth. Together, these markets are helping Caribbean destinations broaden their seasonal calendars and capture incremental revenue beyond traditional peak windows.

Caribbean culture is driving longer, more meaningful visits. Analysis of CARIFESTA XV 2025 in Barbados shows arrivals climbed 23 percent during the festival period compared with the previous year, with intra-Caribbean travel accounting for 23.3 percent of arrivals, up 3.3 percentage points year over year. Travelers booked more than three months ahead and extended their stays, demonstrating how the region’s cultural calendar has become a powerful engine for tourism growth, longer lengths of stay, and deeper economic impact across the region.

A Shared Commitment to Caribbean Growth

CHTA President Sanovnik Destang said the findings reinforce both the opportunity and the discipline required to compete in today’s global tourism landscape: “The Caribbean is entering a more strategic chapter, one where data, diversification, and destination positioning will determine who captures the next wave of growth. Latin American demand is rising fast, premium travelers are choosing the Caribbean in record numbers, and our cultural calendar is proving it can extend stays and drive economic impact across borders. The insights we unveiled with Amadeus at Caribbean Travel Forum give our members the intelligence to compete confidently, capture year-round demand, and translate the Caribbean’s unmatched appeal into lasting prosperity for our communities.”

Sol Freixa, Vice President, Commercial, Destinations at Amadeus, added: “In a more competitive and choice-rich travel environment, understanding demand is only the first step. The real opportunity for Caribbean destinations lies in using these insights to actively shape traveler perception and capture demand at the moments that matter most. By aligning insight-led targeting with clear destination positioning, destinations can position themselves more clearly, reach the travelers earlier in their planning journey, and convert intent into meaningful growth.”

Methodology

Data included in the 2026 Caribbean Travel Trends Report was extracted from Amadeus Data Connect, Amadeus Destination Gateway, and other Amadeus Travel Intelligence solutions. Amadeus Destination Gateway delivers comprehensive historical and forward-looking air travel data through an intuitive dashboard, empowering destinations to monitor performance by origin market, season, and route. Amadeus Data Connect answers key business questions for destinations with curated datasets and no-code access to an extensive library of prebuilt Data Smarts.

Download the 2026 Caribbean Travel Trends Report

The full 2026 Caribbean Travel Trends Report is available at https://www.amadeus-hospitality.com/resources/caribbean-travel-trends-2026/.