PHILIPSBURG:--- SMART officially opens today with a grand Welcome Cocktail Party at the Radisson Blu Resort Marina & Spa in St. Martin, co-sponsored by the resort and its F&B, entertainment, audio-visual, and decoration suppliers. A full day and a half of trading is scheduled on Thursday May 15th and Friday 16th, 2014, where participants have set up appointments with hotels, excursion operations, ground handlers, and other potential business partners. This 13th year of the tradeshow is boasting one of the best turn-outs in years
L'Association des Hoteliers de St. Martin and the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association in conjunction with L'Office du Tourisme de St. Martin and the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau are expecting numerous Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Travel Writers, and Event Planners from the US, Canada, Europe, and Latin America, to the event that has become very significant for the entire region during recent years, one that should not be missed.
Arriving and departing visitors at this year's SMART event will notice significant changes at the Princess Juliana International Airport, SXM, the main sponsor of the official Farewell Cocktail Party which will be held at the Sonesta Great Bay Resort, Casino & Spa. SXM is now considered the international airport for seven regional hub partners – Anguilla, St. Barth's, Saba, St. Eustatius, Nevis, St. Martin and Tortola. Most of them will be represented at SMART this year. As a major sub-regional hub, SXM's role in the development of the economies of these destinations has become even more accentuated.
"It is a role we at SXM take very seriously," said Regina LaBega, managing director of the airport. "Our new commercial strategy has already begun to yield fruit in terms of enhancing visitor experience. Similarly, we have stuck painstakingly to the execution of our Capital Improvement Program, parts of which, like the rehabilitation of the runway, has been completed. We are moving steadily ahead with the other projects in the program, such as the construction of a new FBO facility which is expected to commence shortly," LaBega added.
"All over the world, airports are investing heavily in improving their facilities. LAX for example, has undertaken a multi-billion dollar remodeling project. SXM is cognizant of its impact on the economy of St. Maarten, an impact which a study by the Central Bank of Curacao and St. Maarten estimated at 60% of the GDP. It is therefore with singular purpose that we continue to strive to make our airport, the leader in regional aviation. We remain a strong supporter and contributor to SMART because we believe that together we can continue to position St. Maarten as a top destination in Caribbean tourism," LaBega concluded.
For more details, please see www.shta.com and click on SMART or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 542-0108.