New Airport Sign Reminds Visitors: 'Our Beaches Aren't Souvenir Shops

Makayla Cooks, a young woman from St. Maarten, has been selected by the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) to participate in its 2026 Young Women's Mentorship Initiative. The announcement was celebrated by the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT), Hon. Grisha Heyliger-Marten, who publicly congratulated Cooks on the achievement. The FCCA's mentorship program is designed to empower and develop young women in the Caribbean with ties to the cruise and tourism industry. Cooks' selection represents a notable recognition of St. Maarten talent on a regional stage. The program is expected to provide her with professional guidance, networking opportunities, and industry exposure at a high level. Minister Heyliger-Marten's endorsement underscores the government's support for youth development within the island's core tourism sector.

El Setai St. Maarten, a luxury resort development located at Indigo Bay, is projected to generate approximately 60 executive and mid-level management positions based on the island when it opens in 2028. These roles are expected to cover corporate services and senior operational management for the property. The announcement signals a significant employment opportunity for St. Maarten's professional workforce, particularly in the hospitality and business administration sectors. The project represents a notable addition to St. Maarten's tourism infrastructure, which has been rebuilding since the devastation of Hurricane Irma in 2017. A resort of this caliber attracting high-paying management roles locally — rather than importing them entirely from abroad — could have a meaningful economic impact on the island. The 2028 timeline suggests the development is still in its construction or pre-opening phase, with recruitment efforts likely to ramp up in the coming years.

The Sint Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) has launched a photography contest inviting both local and international photographers to submit images capturing the essence of Sint Maarten. The contest is tied to the production of SHTA's 2027 Events Calendar, a publication that promotes the island's tourism and cultural offerings. Photographers from Sint Maarten and abroad are eligible to participate, broadening the pool of creative perspectives on the island. The initiative reflects SHTA's ongoing efforts to showcase Sint Maarten's beauty and vibrancy through visual storytelling. By opening the contest to international participants, SHTA aims to attract a diverse range of photographic styles and interpretations of island life. The winning images will be featured in the calendar, giving selected photographers significant exposure within the hospitality and trade community. The contest represents both a creative opportunity and a promotional tool for Sint Maarten's tourism sector.