LaBega: Caribbean tourists
still very under appreciated
PHILIPSBURG--Cultivating a good marketing image in the Caribbean is important for St. Maarten to continue to tap into the region’s travelling and shopping population. However, this market is very under appreciated by St. Maarten and as a result has been declining in the past years.
Tourism Director/St. Maarten Tourism Bureau Head Regina LaBega said it is important for the island to start taking a keen interest in attracting Caribbean visitors to the island. “Based on our last visitor expenditure survey, Caribbean visitors spend a significant amount of money here. They are right up there with the South Americans, who spend big.”
The island lost a very valuable and unique marketing angle when a deal to contract West Indies Cricket Legend Vivian Richards fell through last week for the lack of just US $18,000.
The idea of getting Richards to endorse the island was not only to attract cricket fans who are in the region for World Cup Cricket but to raise the island’s profile in the Caribbean, LaBega said.
All the needed funding was approved too late and other preparations were not in place. “This was our angle on attracting tourists from the cricket world cup to visit here. At the moment we don’t have other plans.”
The Caribbean accounts for the fourth highest market from which visitors come to St. Maarten. Efforts to boost this market with more exposure is necessary and all hands are needed on deck to better appreciate and make Caribbean people feel comfortable here, she added.
Every country in times of crisis look to its region to fill its shortfall, LaBega pointed out. “When the United States had issues it encouraged travel within the country. We must have a presence in the Caribbean region to do the same.”
She is encouraging all stakeholders to stop giving lip service to Caribbean visitors and start seeking ways to encourage them to come to the island where they receive good service and a good time.
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