Roughly fifty years ago, St. Martin pivoted towards tourism as a new economic engine for the island. Although it seems like an obvious choice in retrospect, I think at the time it took remarkable foresight. The leaders at the time took a chance, and when cheaper air travel and increased cruise ship tourism became a reality, the island was ready to benefit economically from these trends.
Today, the traditional sun/sea/sand tourism market in the Caribbean is basically mature, and increasingly competitive as many islands emulate what St. Martin began decades ago. I think adapting to succeed economically and create a sustainable economy for the next fifty years will require a similar level of foresight and courage. Hopefully, the island and its people are up to the challenge.
With this in mind, I am very excited to announce two new retail locations for the wildlife guide, both on Front Street in Philipsburg: the Guavaberry Emporium and Shop-n-Spree. I think connecting tourists with aspects of the real St. Martin, whether that is wildlife, or a traditional island drink, will be an important part of how we adapt to the future of tourism. Offering unique experiences rooted in local culture and natural heritage, and showing how much there is to experience beyond the beach and the bar, visitors will leave with a story to tell and a deeper connection to the island.