Island News
K-1 Britannia Receives $7500 from Heineken Regatta
With the successful conclusion of the 38th annual Heineken Regatta, the organizers have announced that they raised a total of US $7500 throughout the Regatta weekend for relief and rebuilding. Due to the massive hit St. Maarten took during the 2017 hurricane season, the Regatta committee decided that the 2018 edition would focus on helping the island to recover. The “Serious Fun” Slogan was changed to “Serious Fundraising” to reflect the purpose of the event, raising funds for community organizations.
“We would like to thank the Heineken Regatta crew for the opportunity to be a part of such an important event on the island. As a non-profit, we appreciate not only the fundraising done on our behalf but also the opportunity to showcase our projects to those attending the event.
News courtesy of Caribbean Gems
St.Maartener's 'Wanna B' Wins St.Maarten/St.Martin Cup
Wanna B, skippered by local sailor Jan vanden Eynde won the St. Maarten/St. Martin Cup for Most Worthy Performance Overall of the 38th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, racing in Caribbean Sailing Association class 4. Facing a fleet of 11 boats in seven races spread out over the three days. Vanden Eynde and crew recorded three first-place finishes, one second, one third, one fourth and, as one race is tossed, the one fifth place did not count. The score of the place finishes are added and low score is the winner. Wanna B, at 8.5 metres long, had 12 points. Second place went to Solstice from the United States with 16.5 points and third place went to Whistler of Barbados with 19 points.
News Courtesy Caribbean Gems
Belair Beach Hotel Welcomes First Guests at Soft Opening
Belair Beach Hotel has reopened its doors to welcome its first guests since Hurricane Irma struck the island in September 2017. The hotel had its soft opening last week. This milestone in the hotel’s as well as St. Maarten recovery was celebrated with guests, staff and Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin. Twenty four of the hotel’s 70 rooms were severely damaged by Irma. Diligent work by the hotel management and staff right after the hurricane has led to the reopening of 54 rooms. The remaining rooms are expected to be back in operation in the next three weeks, said General Manager Calvin Turner. Romeo-Marlin told hotel staff this soft opening: “Without you this could not happen. This is the attitude we should all have in St. Maarten, to ensure that we get back to where we were.”
News courtesy of Caribbean Gems
One Love Reggae Concert will 'Move and Groove' for Carnival
St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) has put together a reggae line-up that it says will “groove and move you all in the right ways” for Carnival 2018. This is the third consecutive year that SCDF has taken it upon itself to host the popular reggae concert for Carnival. The line-up will feature love reggae crooners Sanchez, Etana and Christopher Martin, complemented by dancehall stars Aidonia Ishawna. “We wanted to give lovers of the genre beautiful reggae music to groove to and hot dancehall artistes to jam to. Sanchez, Etana and Christopher Martin will bring the love vibe for One Love while Aidonia and Ishawna will turn the heat up with dancehall. We are very excited about the concert,” SCDF President Alston Lourens mentioned last week.
News courtesy of Caribbean Gems
Cruise Industry Forecasts 27.2 Million Passengers in 2018
Based On discussions at the recently concluded Seatrade Cruise Global Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Port of St. Maarten management discussed the industry outlook along with the forecast for St. Maarten specifically. “Though in its infancy stage, the cruise industry will see approximately 27.2 million passengers cruise in 2018 globally. Port of St. Maarten will play a pivotal role in the overall Eastern Caribbean offering great experiences post-Hurricane Irma. Demand for cruising in general increased by 20-plus per cent over the last five years. Key partners within the Eastern Caribbean region will be meeting in the near future to strategize on luring more passengers to the islands damaged by the last hurricanes, once again demonstrating the Caribbean is open in line with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association multi million-dollar industry campaign.
News courtesy of Caribbean Gems.
St.Maarten Distilleries to Launch Locally-Produced Soualiga Rum
St. Maarten Distillers set out to add some diversification to the local economy when it commercially distilling and bottling its own line of locally made rums in the country under the brand – Soualiga Rum. The company currently produces ten flavours of rums at its Simpson Bay distillery from scratch. The flavours are Mango, Guava, White Rhum, Pineapple, Coconut Ginger, Vodka, Aged Rhum, Passion Fruit, Black Cake and Havana Mojito Blend. St. Maarten Distilleries Business Development Officer Kelston Brooks told the Press, the company started making small amounts of the rum at local restaurant Boca Marina two years ago, and it was such a big hit among customers that they decided to branch out and make the product commercially so that more persons can enjoy the great taste of a beverage produced from scratch right here in St. Maarten.
News courtesy of Caribbean Gems
Air France Announces Non-Stop Flights to SXM
Air France announces last week that it is resuming its non-stop flight schedule between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport SXM. Two special non-stop flights for the Christmas holiday period will operate between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Airport SXM on December 23, 2017, and January 6, 2018 according to the airline press statement. From January 13 to March 26, 2018, the end of 2017-2018 winter season, Air France will be operating the non-stop service between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and SXM.
News courtesy of Caribbean Gems