October 4, 2017 The Sint Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) has sent in a first broad advice for economic recovery of country Sint Maarten. The association was requested to share its ideas for country Sint Maarten’s future by the Workgroup National Recovery Plan led by Joan Dovale. Its first recommendations were drafted based on many talks with its member companies from Hospitality and Trade…
March 30, 2017 On Thursday, March 30th 2017, the first SXM Young Professionals Mixer at Oranje Café on Walter Plantz Square drew 120 young professionals looking to expand their network and to introduce them to SHTA. The crowd consisted of young Sint Maarten business talent invited by the Sint Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) and ORCO Bank. The Young Professional Mixer was an initiative to encourage networking amongst the newest professionals having recently entered the workforce, as well as those well established, to mix and mingle and navigate…
March 23, 2017 Philipsburg – On Thursday March 23rd the partnership between the Sint Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) and the local non-profit foundation Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) was strengthened by the signing of the collaborative agreement to promote sustainable tourism through the Blue Flag and Green Key eco-label awards. The event was held at Holland House Beach Hotel in Philipsburg, the newest Green Key awarded site for Sint Maarten, in anticipation of the official Green Key Award ceremony and sustainability expo which acknowledges the exceptional efforts of the awardees, being in the forefront of sustainable tourism for the hotel industry. The event, to be held in May, will also award Princess Heights Luxury Boutique Condo Hotel for its third consecutive year as a Green Key Hotel. Click here for the full article.
March 16, 2017 An animation of portraying Sint Maarten as an option to seek refuge from the snow storm currently active in the Northeastern United States was a hit on social media this Wednesday. It was one of the fruits of the branding project of Sint Maarten creatives and the Sint Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) started last year in August 2016. The movie went viral as various Sint Maarten…
January 17, 2017 CAY HILL – On January 17th 2017, the Chairman of the National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA) board, Antonio Aventurin and the Chairlady of the St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) board, Lorraine Talmi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Additional persons who were present to witness the signing, and who will be directly involved in the activities outlined in the MOU included: NIPA Interim Executive Director Patricia…
January 12, 2017 Philipsburg – SHTA is proud to hand the Annual Events Calendar to their main sponsor Carib/Shandy Beer. Last Thursday, January 12th, Carib brand manager Cleon Frederick and International Liquors & Tobacco (ILTT) CEO John Leone officially kicked off the SHTA St. Maarten Calendar Tour with the SHTA team. ILTT being a longtime active member and partner in large to SHTA events, this Thursday’s location for the official launch felt befitting. Together with Carib, SHTA launched the Annual Event Calendar portraying key activities for Sint Maarten and the surrounding islands. The idea behind the calendar is to show all that there is always something to do on St. Maarten, and to encourage more visitors to those events themselves. For SHTA members, none members, companies and managers, it provides an oversight for planning with a forward looking. Click here for the full article.
February 2, 2016 PHILIPSBURG – The St. Maarten Hospitality & trade Association along with the Organizing committee for the 2016 Culinary Competition St. Maarten/Saint Martin are pleased to announce the winners of the Senior Chef placement on the National Team to represent St. Maarten in the Taste of the Caribbean in Miami. Pieter Holstein – Executive Chef of the Food Collective BBA Rum & Peas – St. Maarten and David Cudicio – Dreams Restaurant – Nettle Bay FWI; both Chefs earned their position during the competition on Saturday February 6th, by competing against an impressive group of 1 Chef’s all-vying for a place on the team. In addition to the winners, two chefs were chosen as the substitute Chefs on the team in the event that one of the chefs is unable to provide representation. Substitutes are Mariana Shah – Dish D’Lish and Nick Dillinger –…
July 1, 2015 July 2015: Get ready to Unleash the Summer Sweepstakes. August 2015: Introduction if the new digitized membership administration. Relaunchof the Action Website. October 2015: SHTA Job Fair a partnership with the Department of Labour resulted in a very successful fair. 145 registered visitor.
March 11, 2015 SHTA signs MOU with the University of St. Maarten during Educational Mixer at Melange Restaurant.
February 13, 2015 PHILIPSBURG -The St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA), the largest private business representative on the island, welcomes Ms. Anenda Zaandam as its new Executive Director. The appointment of Ms. Zaandam follows the resignation of Ms. Karen Hana who’s her hard work and grand efforts, during her time with the association, were greatly appreciated. Anenda Zaandam, Certified Hospitality Educator of the American Hotel & Lodging Association Educational Institute, will be bringing her extensive knowledge of the Hospitality & Service Industry to the SHTA. Ms. Zaandam started her career in the hospitality industry in 2002 as an Assistant Banqueting & Convention Manager at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino. Since then her career has steadily taken off to new horizons. Adding to her expertise, Ms. Zaandam has not only been a student of a hospitality classroom, but a teacher as well at the Mondriaan College voor Horeca en Toerisme in the Netherlands andthe Sundial School in St. Maarten. A change in career in 2012, led Ms. Zaandam to the Government of St. Maarten as the Executive Assistant to the former Minister of Education Culture Youth and Sports – Ms. Silveria Jacobs. This opportunity…
January 5, 2015 Launch of Visit St. Maarten SHTA & North South Net Celebrate Visit St. Maarten Book Launch.
March 10, 2014 In March 2014 Emil Lee decided to tender his resignation as President of SHTA as well as his position on the board of the SHTA.
June 10, 2013 In 2013 the SHTA, together with the Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC), presented the Blue Flag and Green Key eco-labels.
March 25, 2013 The St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA), the largest private business representative on the island representing a broad range of companies, has named Karen Hana as its new Executive Director following the resignation of Alfred Harley. SHTA President Emil Lee said in a press release issued March 22, 2013 “The entire board is happy to welcome Karen to SHTA; her many years of experience in tourism brings a depth of knowledge that we are anxious to take advantage of.” Hana, a graduate of the Hotel Management School in The Hague, brings more than 25 years of extensive…
June 14, 2010 The SHTA was awarded the CHTA 2010 newsworthy award for its electronic membership newsletter that is distributed twice monthly.
March 8, 2010 In 2010 the Visitstmaarten.com Call Center , a joint initiative by the SHTA and UTS, was realized.
April 6, 2009 The Dollar-A-Day project has contributed to a number of key events such as a donation to The Love of Kids Foundation, a donation to the SXM Pride Foundation and SHTA donated to the Lab Sports Academy Foundation.
January 3, 2005 The SHTA Official Publication, the Experience St. Maarten/St. Martin was launched in January 2005
September 13, 2004 September 2004 The SHTA launched their SHTA Tourism Discount Card that offers all SHTA member employees discounts at a number of participating properties to demonstrate that tourism is important to the island and it also gives back to the local community. A total of 3500 cards were distributed to hospitality and hospitality-related employees.
April 5, 2004 April 2004 The SHTA launched the website, stmaartenauction.com, as a fundraising effort for the association. Properties participating in the auction are promoted online on the consumer website in return for donating a week stay.
January 5, 2004 October 2004 Operation Awareness, the SHTA tourism awareness program, was launched in the schools with a number of presentations to primary and secondary schools aimed at sensitizing students on the importance of tourism for the island. October 2004 The SHTA held its second Annual General Managers’ Retreat with a total of 16 general managers attending to discuss operational, marketing and human resource issues. September 2004 The SHTA held its annual Marketing Meeting with its hotel members to discuss product upgrades, trends and…
October 13, 2003 October 2003 The SHTA organized the first annual General Managers’ Retreat at Port de Plaisance where general managers received updates on SHTA activities and programs and were able to discuss a number of marketing, human resources and operational issues with moderators including interim labor department head, Rafael Boasman, GEBE diretor, Julius Lambert, and University Dean, Charles Armitage as well as Nature Foundation representative Andy Caballero. In that same month SHTA executed a salary survey in the hospitality sector…
January 6, 2003 December 2003 The first Cruise Conversion Coin was given to the one-millionth passenger as part of the launch of the Cruise Conversion Program. The cruise conversion program was coordinated in cooperation with the Commissioner of Tourism, Theo Heyliger, the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, the Harbor Holding Company, the St. Maarten Ports Authority and the SHTA. November 2003 The SHTA assisted with the organization of the 2003 Career & Study Fair which was held at the Great Bay Beach Resort on November 4, 2003. The SHTA promoted tourism and hospitality careers. With tourism supporting over 95% of the island’s work force, a career in the industry is becoming more and more important to sustain the local labor market. November 2003 The SHTA co-sponsored Fiona Murray to speak on the possible future UPT status of St. Maarten along with the Bureau of Constitutional Affairs and the Chamber of Commerce. November 2003 Over 150 travel agents experienced St. Maarten as part of the KLM Travel Agent FAM trips organized by the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau and…
April 8, 2002 April of 2002 marks the beginning of SMART (The Sint Maarten / Saint Martin Annual Regional Tradeshow. The first St. Maarten/St, Martin Annual Regional Tradeshow is held at the Maho Beach Resort from April 25-27. The tradeshow was a joint effort of the SHTA and AHSM (French Hotel Association) assisted logistically by the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA). SMART offers a professional way to bring together the movers and shakers in the tourism…
February 4, 2002 September 2002 The SHTA submitted its impact report to the 911 Taskforce, installed by government to determine the impact of the terrorist attacks on the United States and the economy of St. Maarten. August 2002 The St. Maarten Bucks program is launched. The goal of the program is to achieve value-added sales promotions to maintain profitable hotel rates, instead of price discounting. The Bucks are an incentive for visitors to come to St. Maarten and shop, dine, or participate in excursions and activities that are available on the island since the bucks are of no value if not spent and cannot be used on neighboring islands. August 2002 As a condition for the room-tax decrease, the Dollar-a-Day Program sponsors the Guest Service Excellence course for 20 employees of the participating hotels. June 2002 Norbert Marrale is employed as Executive Director through an intensive recruiting effort. March 2002 The total projected value of SHTA supported destination marketing and public relations programs, both finances in cash and kind, for the 2001/2002 Association year amounts to some $750,000, the…
April 30, 2001 In April 2001 Emil Lee was elected president of the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association.
April 23, 2001 A partnership with the St. Maarten Nature Foundation was established though representation on the SHTA board. The National Tourism Organization (NTO) was incorporated. The board consists of nine stakeholders from government, private sector, and labor. The SHTA is represented on the board by its president. The Dutch government made NAF 3.8 million available as part of a NAF 11.2 million multi-annual tourism recovery program, co-funded by the governments and private sector of both sides of the island, as well as several airlines and tour operators. The Committee, which consists of public and private sector tourism officials, decides on budget allocation within the approved framework and purpose of the recovery fund. 2001 April 2001 Marc van de Bilt leaves the SHTA.
July 3, 2000 The SHTA’s annual fundraiser was held at the Palm’s Grill Restaurant at Maho Beach Resort & Casino. The theme of the evening was Stars & Stripes to show support for the September 11 tragedy. The SHTA website, www.shta.com, is used to promote special vacation packages from SHTA member properties. The SHTA Board of Directors mandated a Steering Committee to evaluate the functioning of the Association in term of effectiveness and efficiency. The recommendations were adopted unanimously. 2000 September 2000 Jelle Hamstra is employed in the position of Project Manager. July 2000 The SHTA and the ST. Maarten Timeshare Association join forces to reduce costs. Jennifer Ajubi was employed for the SMTA.
April 3, 2000 April 2000 Approved in September 1999, the SHTA introduces the Dollar-a-Day Fund. Guests at participating properties are requested to contribute $1 per day of their stay to the fund that finances product development, educational and environmental programs, as well as destination marketing and research. The fund is a unique opportunity for the guest to contribute to the continued improvement of St. Maarten.
January 4, 1999 January 1999 The St. Maarten Voice wins the CHA Regional Award for outstanding communications at the Caribbean Leadership Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The SHTA facilitated environmental audits for various member resorts to qualify for the internationally accredited ISO14001 Green Globe certification standards. The SHTA also obtained a grant from the MINA (Milieu Fonds Nederlandse Antillen) for a pilot Ecoroom project in St. Maarten. 1999
January 1, 1999 The Socio-Economic Council for the Island Territory of St. Maarten was formally approved and installed, including the representation of the SHTA. The SHTA launches its own website, www.shta.com. The site offers information about SHTA programs and services, as well as generic information about St. Maarten as a tourist destination and investment destination. The draft articles of incorporation for a tourism foundation or corporation headed by a public-private sector tourism board were presented to the Executive Council. The Executive Council agreed in principle to the privatization of the Tourist…
December 7, 1998 December 1998 The St. Maarten Labour Office and Qualitivity Inc. open a Job Center. SHTA supported this center via the St. Maarten Voice and membership information bulletins.
October 5, 1998 In October of 1998 Anne Marie Scot promoted to Office Manager. Jacqueline Williams was employed as Executive Assistant.
March 9, 1998 In March of 1998 the SHTA change its name to St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association enabling the SHTA to became a representative of the total private sector, instead of just a hotel association. The slogan “Tourism is Everybody’s Business” was introduced. The SHTA broadens its scope to include the trade sector of St. Maarten. The Association’s goal is to also offer its benefits to other sectors that rely on the hospitality sector, due to the island’s large dependence on tourism. The change was also reflected in the new name: The St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association. This widened scope was also reflected in the addition of two more disciplines to the board, including Restaurant and Marine Trades directors.
March 2, 1998 The SHTA starts publishing a monthly newspaper, The St. Maarten Voice. Approximately 5,500 copies are distributed each month free of charge. SHTA challenged the present structure of license fees, which SHTA feels should be collected as retributions, not levied as taxes. In particular SHTA filed a notice of objection over increased restaurant license fees on behalf of over 20 members of its Restaurant Division. The Association was forced to forward the matter to the Appeals Court for tax-related…
March 4, 1996 In March of 1996 Anne Marie Scot was employed as Executive assistant; Marc van de Bilt was promoted to Executive Director.
September 5, 1995 Between 1995 and 1999 Sint Maarten suffered tremendous damage caused by major hurricanes. The SHTA assisted in many ways to coordinate guests off the island safely. SHTA became part of the disaster team(s).
March 6, 1995 March 1995 Marc van de Bilt was employed as Executive Assistant.
July 1, 1991 In 1991 The SHA changed its name to SHTA (St. Maarten Hotel and Tourism Association) and was founded as a non-political, non-profit organization for an unlimited time.
January 1, 1975 In 1975 for the Dutch and the French parted ways and continued working together as separate hotel associations.
January 1, 1972 During the period between 1970 and 1980 the island obtained it name “Hide – away destination”
May 4, 1970 In 1970 the SHTA was founded as the St. Maarten Hotel Association (SHA) on St. Maarten
SHTA Sends In Recovery Recommendations, Commends Marines, Marechaussee, KPSM & VKS for relief assistance
SHTA / ORCO Bank SXM Young Professionals Mixer Draws 120 Business Talents
EPIC and SHTA sign Collaborative Agreement towards sustainable tourism
SHTA launched new marketing Campaign “The Calm in your Storm”
NIPA & SHTA Sign Work Experience Training MOU
SHTA & Carib launched the 1st Annual Event Calendar
SHTA and CCSXM 2016 organizing committee host Preliminary Culinary Competition – CHTA Taste of the Caribbean
More in 2015
SHTA Signs MOU with the University of St. Maarten
The SHTA welcomes Anenda Zaandam as new Executive Director
The Launch of the 1st Visit Magazine
Karen Hana appointed as SHTA’s Executive Directo
SHTA Tourism Discount Card
SHTA Auction Website
More in 2004
SHTA 1st General Managers’ Retreat
More in 2003
The Beginning of SMART
More in 2002
Emil Lee was Elected President of The SHTA
More in 2001
More In 2000
SHTA’s Dollar-A-Day program (DAD) was introduced
More in 1999
SHTA launched its own website www.shta.com
SHTA Changed its Name
The St. Maarten Voice
SHTA Became Part of the Disaster Team
SHA Changed its Name to SHTA
Separate Hotel Associations
Hide – Away Destination
SHTA was Founded
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