SHTA launches photography contest for its 2027 calendar

The St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) and the Chamber of Commerce (CC1) have joined forces to begin developing the island's official 2027 Events Calendar. The initiative is in its early stages, with organizers opening a formal call for event submissions from businesses, organizations, and community groups across St. Maarten. The collaboration aims to consolidate the island's annual programming into a structured, coordinated calendar that supports tourism and economic activity. By planning well in advance, stakeholders hope to attract more visitors and give event organizers sufficient time to prepare and market their activities. The effort reflects a broader strategy by St. Maarten's business and hospitality sectors to strengthen the island's year-round appeal as a destination. Interested parties are being encouraged to submit their events early to be considered for inclusion in the official 2027 lineup.

The St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA) and event organizer CC1 have officially launched the planning process for the island's 2027 Events Calendar. The initiative marks the opening of a submission season during which event organizers, businesses, and community groups are being invited to put forward their events for inclusion. The calendar serves as a centralized promotional tool designed to attract tourists and coordinate the island's event landscape throughout the year. By starting the planning process this early, SHTA and CC1 aim to give the tourism and hospitality sector maximum lead time to prepare and market upcoming events. The call for submissions reflects a broader strategy to strengthen St. Maarten's appeal as a year-round destination. The collaboration between the trade association and CC1 signals a coordinated, industry-wide approach to event tourism on the island.

St. Maarten recorded 1.56 million total arrivals in the first six months of the year, driven by significant growth in both air and cruise traffic. The milestone reflects a strong tourism rebound for the Dutch Caribbean island, which has worked to rebuild its travel infrastructure since Hurricane Irma devastated the region in 2017. Air passenger numbers contributed meaningfully to the total, with Princess Juliana International Airport continuing to serve as a regional hub for the northeastern Caribbean. Cruise arrivals also surged, underscoring St. Maarten's enduring appeal as a port-of-call destination. The figures point to robust demand heading into the second half of the year, which typically includes the busy winter cruise and leisure travel season. Strong visitor numbers are critical to St. Maarten's economy, which is heavily dependent on tourism for government revenue, employment, and retail spending. Officials and industry stakeholders are likely to view the mid-year data as an encouraging indicator of sustained recovery and growth.