POND ISLAND, Sint Maarten – More than 100 organizations in the Hospitality Industry has registered to attend the 17th Edition of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten Annual Regional Tradeshow (SMART) which will be held at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino and Spa next week.
Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Hon. Stuart Johnson said the interests shown in the regional tradeshow demonstrates the importance of the event to the service in the region and internationally. SMART offers a unique setting in which useful information can be had by attendees to help them profile the destination.
The organizers behind SMART are L’Association des Hoteliers de Saint Martin, the Saint Martin Tourism Office, the Sint Maarten Tourism Bureau, and the St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA). SMART will be held from May 21 to 23 at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa Convention Center. The SMART 17th Edition will host visitors from Anguilla, Antigua, the Bahamas, Belgium, Bonaire, Canada, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, France, Guadeloupe, Italy, Montserrat, the Netherlands, Panama, Puerto Rico, Saba, St. Barths, St. Eustatius, St. Martin, Sint Maarten, St. Kitts, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
“Tourism and travel form the economic foundation of many of the islands in the Caribbean. We all have the interest to promote our destinations. Inter-regional travel is just as necessary as international tourism and travel.
“The travel and tourism trade have changed due to technological developments where travelers can access information with their fingertips through the world-wide-web and mobile apps.
“SMART will allow all those who are attending to learn from each other about travel trade trends and destination developments. It will enable businesses to create new partnerships through networking.
“We on St. Maarten/Saint Martin look forward to welcoming the visitors to SMART,” Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Stuart Johnson said on Friday.
SMART is hosted annually by the tourism authorities of both sides of the island. Considered the most popular trade show in the Northeastern Caribbean, the three-day event offers attendees workshops, masterclasses, mystery dinners, pre-scheduled appointment sessions, activities and festivities.
SMART brings together wholesalers and tour operators who conduct business with suppliers of the North and Eastern Caribbean tourism industry.
