Good high season
for small hotels
SIMPSON BAY--A five to ten per cent increase has been registered by small hotels and guesthouses for the high season. Most of the guests were repeat visitors from the Caribbean region.
The Small Business Division of St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) reported that its members were generally happy with the season numbers and were looking forward to a good summer. Most of the properties have not increased individual advertising to attract bookings, but word of mouth advertising has generated good responses.
For the summer/low season, the properties in the division have pooled resources to advertise in Skylights, the May/June in-flight magazine of low cost carrier Spirit Airlines, which commences thrice-weekly flights to St. Maarten on Friday.
Carter Glass of Turquoise Shell Inn told The Daily Herald the island was doing well economically and the small hotels were benefiting from this growth.
“The strong airlift this past season, with addition of United Airlines flights from Washington D.C. and Chicago, have brought more visitors to the island. We have noticed an increase in travellers from the other islands. In particular, the small hotels have benefited from our active marketing in regional and North American publications,” Glass said.
The division’s website
www.smallhotelssxm.com has also drummed up needed business for the small hotels throughout the island.
Elizabeth Vaughn of The Horny Toad concurred with Glass’ view. She said, “The season has been very good. We are full right now and have been for a while.” This high season was a bit better than the last one, but guests continue to be mostly repeat clients, Vaughn said. The small hotels division has worked for the small properties, she said. “It was needed and so far it has been working.”
Patricia Lake-Maxwell of Llama Guesthouse said the property in the heart of Philipsburg had been mostly fully booked for the season. At present, all rooms are booked and occupied by mostly repeat customers. Last high season and low season were also good for Llama Guesthouse.
This summer/low season is expected to be good as Caribbean shoppers flock to the island to shop for supplies for the new school year. Most small hotels and guesthouses, especially those in Philipsburg, are expected to fully occupied for the main weekend of Carnival, April 27 to May 2.
Head of St. Maarten Tourist Bureau Regina LaBega was happy to learn about the good season for the small hotel/guesthouses. The bureau continues to do its part to promote the properties in the region and in Europe with the Small Hotel, Guesthouses and Inns Brochure that was created by SHTA Small Hotels Division.
Travel agents invited for the upcoming St. Maarten/St. Martin Annual Regional Tradeshow (SMART), set for May 9-11, are scheduled to visit and stay in the small hotels around the Dutch side.
St Maarten vacation rental
