St. Maarten News - StMaarten-Info.com
Six bridge openings per day as of today
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 10:30
SIMPSON BAY--There will be six bridge openings per day as of today, Tuesday, as is customary every season to accommodate the mega yachts heading into the lagoon to various marinas, said Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority Corporation (SLAC) Managing Director Russell Voges.
The daily openings will be at 9:00am for outbound, 9:30am for inbound, 11:00am outbound, 11:30am inbound, 4:30pm outbound and 5:30pm inbound. This schedule will continue until May 2010.
Users of small craft are requested not to transit the bridge channel during bridge opening hours. Boats docking at the BBW dock should not be manoeuvring in the channel during the openings.
Small sea craft must make use of the port channel when passing under the bridge. Jet ski owners and rentals are requested to inform users that they must put their waterspouts off when passing under the bridge. This prevents corrosion of the iron structure of the bridge.
Captains and owners, after docking in the lagoon, should immediately head to the SLAC window and immigration to clear in their vessel, crew and passengers and to pay the bridge, harbour and other fees.
Beautification works at bridge progressing on schedule
Monday, November 30th, 2009 00:00
Simpson Bay, St. Maarten -- Managing Director of Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority Corporation (SLAC), Russel Voges, says that the beautification and upgrading works around the Simpson Bay Bridge are progressing according to schedule.
Works currently being carried out are the instrallation of new guard rails and the trenching for street light cables. Ground works also include the installation of curbs enclosing the road and walkways. The walkways for pedestrians will be constructed from red paving stones, which are scheduled to start this week.
The milling and asphalt works are also scheduled for this week and these activities will take place during the evening hours when there is less vehicular traffic. The civil works are on schedule to be completed by December 11, just in time for the start of the 2009/2010 tourism season. Beautification lights won't be ready for installation by this date and are scheduled to be installed in January 2010.
Windward Roads Infrastructure is executing the civil activities while Independent Consulting Engineers (ICE) is carrying out supervision. The Public Works Department is in charge of quality assurance while HISMAR N.V. coordinates the civil works project for the Lagoon Authority.
Motorist and pedestrians are advised to pay extra attention while crossing the bridge during these construction activities. Drivers are requested to slow down and observe the traffic signs in the construction area. The Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority would like to thank the public and mariners for their cooperation to date and apologizes for any inconvenience caused by these improvement works and activities.
Westjet launches new service to St. Maarten
Sunday, November 1st, 2009 17:16
Airport -- WestJet made their inaugural call to the island of St. Maarten on Sunday afternoon. The carrier will now provide a new airlink for St. Maarten from Canada with 3 scheduled flights a week out of Toronto.
WestJet today announced the launch of new, seasonal non-stop service between Toronto and St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles. The inaugural flight departed Toronto's Pearson International Airport at 10:15 a.m. ET today.
WestJet will fly between Toronto and St. Maarten three times per week from now until April 29, 2010.
Following are the schedule details of WestJet's new service.
From November 1, 2009 to April 29, 2010:
Toronto - St. Maarten (three times weekly until April 29, 2010)
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Flight Departure Arrival
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From Toronto - WS2652 10:15 a.m. 3:45 p.m.
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From St. Maarten - WS2653 4:35 p.m. 8:45 p.m.
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One-way fares, available in both directions on non-stop flights only, are available from $159, plus applicable taxes and fees. Fares are available by calling WestJet's Sales Super Centre at 1-888-WESTJET(937-8538), your preferred travel agent or by visiting www.westjet.com .
WestJet Vacations offers customized vacation packages for most of WestJet's scheduled destinations, including packages to St. Maarten starting at $799, plus applicable fees and taxes, for a seven-night stay. For more information, visit westjetvacations.com.
About WestJet
WestJet is Canada's preferred airline, offering scheduled service throughout its 66-city North American and Caribbean network. Named one of Canada's most admired corporate cultures in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. WestJet offers increased legroom, leather seats and live seatback television provided by Bell TV on its modern fleet of 81 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an additional 54 aircraft through 2016, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world.
WestJet had previously served the St. Maarten destination as a charter carrier however their return as a scheduled carrier, is a clear sign of commitment to the destination St. Maarten.
Dominica - The Ideal Destination for Daytrips and Weekend Getaway Packages for Eco-Tourists
Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 11:30am
In this article you will read why Dominica is the ideal destination for eco-tourists. Whether you are a naturalist, a hiker, a trekker or just simply in for some unique natural experiences hiking and trekking through a cloud covered rainforest, you will learn that Dominica is a destination with a superb nature that is unsurpassed by none in the area of eco-tourism.
First of all, it is important that the island of Dominica is not confused with the Dominican Republic. That is a totally different island. Eventhough Santo Dominigo is beautiful in its own rights, Dominica will surely be the most beautiful island you will have ever visited. Almost untouched, much of the dense rain forests of Dominica remain unexplored. Dominica, also known as "The Nature Island", is blessed with 365 rivers, one for every day of the nature-filled year. Dominica boasts waterfalls, hot springs and boiling lakes. Christopher Columbus landed here and it is said that were he to return today he would still recognize it. Dominica has maintained its natural beauty all this time. English is the official language, but a French patois is widely spoken. The Caribs, the indigenous people of the Caribbean, still live in the mountainous Northeast.
Why is Dominica ideal for you, the eco-tourist?
Just picture you are in Dominica. You can take a 4 hour tour deep into the rain forests. You will leave the dockside at the Bayfront Harbor in Roseau, capital city of Dominica, heading into the rain forests to Trois Piton National Park, home of the Emerald Pool. Along the way, the road passes through vast banana plantations and beautiful wild flowers. Arriving at the park, you can get out of the bus and trek up a trail leading to the pool. The trail is rugged and the forest is dense and humid. The pool is fed by a cascade of water which plunges off a fern covered cliff.
Next stop is the village of Trafalgar where you can trek up another rugged trail to a viewpoint above the river and a grand view of the twin Trafalgar Falls. Leaving Trafalgar you will head for the Cane Field Estates, stopping at the Springfield Plantation for a cool drink of tangerine punch. Then down the Imperial Road en route to Roseau. You will get a lot of exercise on this tour and it will be the most beautiful of all tours available on Dominica.
Commencing November 2009 AirStMaarten will be offering flights, daytrips and weekend getaways packages to Dominica from Grand Case Esperance Airport on French St. Martin to Dominica Canefield Airfield. Tickets will be on sale from $249.50 per one-way and $499.00 for a roundtrip. Day trips (Discovery Package) will be on sale from $599. The following all-inclusive trip packages to Dominica will also be on sale: the Fiesta Package from $799 to $819 (depending on room choice); the Action Package from $879 to $949; and the Relax Package from $869. Prices are in US Dollars and per person based on double occupancy.
For inquiries, email us via sales@airsxm.com .
Hurricane Season 2009 is still active
For more weather information and tracking details see our St. Maarten Weather page. Also visit www.stormpulse.com .
AirStMaarten Now Offering Super Low Fares To And From St. Barths
Tuesday, August 4th, 2009 10:18pm
Airport -- AirStMaarten is now offering super low charter fares to and from St. Barths. In an effort to maximize the utilization of charter flights to the island of St. Barths from St. Maarten the virtual airline company is promoting new Budget Class flights and lowering the fares of its shared charters.
AirStMaarten is a virtual airline started by owner/operator, Terrance Rey, in 2003. The company charters third party operators to execute private charters on its behalf. The seats are sold on an individual basis so that clients get to experience the service of a private charter at affordable rates.
Now with its Budget Class flights to and from St. Barths passengers can now get the same service at super low fares and cheap charter rates and experience the kind of service VIP clients have come to enjoy over the years with no delays, no long lines, no waiting time, no lost luggage and no cancelled flights.
The budget flights starts at $100 US dollars and the shared charter seats are bookable from $150 per seat. Budget flights are operated on a fixed schedule basis, while the Shared Charter flights are more flexible to schedule. Clients can view the available schedules online at: http://www.airsxm.eu/page.php?page=40#sxm-sbh .
Flights are operated with two 9-seater BN Islanders twin-engine turboprop aircrafts out of Princess Juliana International Airport. Passengers transiting through the St. Maarten airport enroute to St. Barths are expedited through the terminal building, bypassing immigration and going directly to our aircrafts via transit security. Their luggage are tagged all the way to St. Barths and is handled by our own bagage agents. Clients don't need to retrieve their own luggage. The low fares budget class charters are valid until November 15th. Book online at http://www.airsxm.com .
Venezuelen Travel Agents Upbeat about St. Maarten
Monday, July 20th, 2009 00:00am
Great Bay -- A group of 12 travel agents recently visited the island on a familiarization trip organized by All Ways Tours, a Valencia-based tour operator in Venezuela in collaboration with Insel Air. The group was hosted by the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau.
The group arrived Saturday, July 11 aboard Insel Air flight 7I 531 from Valencia, Venezuela, via Curacao, and immediately proceeded with site inspections at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Sonesta Great Bay Resort and Divi Little Bay Beach Resort before checking in at the Westin Dawn Beach Resort, Spa and Casino, where they stayed until their departure on Tuesday, July 14, 2009.
In total, the Venezuelan travel agents conducted about eight site inspections and managed to find time for some recreational activities, especially on Sunday, when they were able to take a snorkeling tour of the island.
“We had a wonderful time and hope to return with a lot of clients to enjoy the pleasures and live the unforgettable experience of your fantastic island,” commented leader of the group, Linda Labastidas of All Ways Tours.
“St. Maarten is very unique and has lots of beautiful attractions that will make it easy to sell to Venezuelan travelers,” added Brenda Aguilar, one of the travel agents on the familiarization trip.
Several of them promised to return on private visits for R & R later in the year, with a few already setting dates for their vacation here.
“It’s my first time here and I am surely coming back,” said Noliber Sulbaran.
Another member of the group, Jose Manuel de Ascencao described St. Maarten as “a hidden paradise.”
“Well, no more,” he said. “The whole of Venezuela will hear about this treasure in the Caribbean.”
The group was ecstatic as they were featured by surprise on the popular Spanish-language radio program, “Fiesta Caribe,” whose host, Ricardo Rey, welcomed them to the island live on air Monday on 105.5 FM of the Laser radio network.
“I was so stunned that I was almost speechless,” said Jualy Lopez, who was interviewed live on the program via cell phone connection while returning from a site inspection.
She said the group was very impressed with the island and had a marvelous time. “This is a dream experience; simply fantastic,” she added.
The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau has been actively nurturing the Venezuelan market, which it sees as a potential growth market that will allow further penetration of the Latin American market.
Dutch St. Maarten has been suffering from intermittent blackouts (brownouts) during the whole day Monday and well into the night. The local power company, GEBE, has been announcing several repairs, sudden malfunctions, power failures and urgent upgrades to the generators.
The following press release from GEBE is important for you if you are on the island or planning to visit shortly:
GEBE PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Monday, July 13, 2009
TWO GENERATORS MALFUNCTION
~TECHNICIANS AWAITING REPLACEMENT PART TO FINALIZE REPAIRS TO DG#9~
CAY BAY—The GEBE power plant experienced mechanical malfunctions with two generators that resulted in load shedding, today, July 13, 2009. Diesel Engine #9 will remain offline pending the arrival of a replacement part while repairs were made on Diesel Engine #12 that was brought back online at 5 p.m. Two cables feeding the Pelican, Zagersgut, and Belair areas were still out up to press time, but power was expected to be restored shortly thereafter.
The power plant’s operational personnel ascertained that the fuel injection pump of cylinder #4 of Diesel Generator #12 had seized, resulting in extremely high exhaust gas temperatures. The maintenance department reacted immediately by taking the engine offline to exchange the seized fuel injection pump resulting in a loss of some 10 MW of capacity. The team made use of the down time to replace flexible fuel hoses and perform some other preventive maintenance on the engine.
Diesel Engine #9 that produces approximately 5 MW also experienced mechanical problems when the compressor wheels and aluminum wall insert of the turbo charger were damaged beyond repair and required replacement. Most of the required spare parts were in stock and the changing out of the damaged parts has already begun. Only the wall insert will have to be flown in. This may lead to some additional outages until the repairs have been completed.
The areas that were affected were Oyster Pond, Saunders, St. Peters/ South Reward area, Cole Bay, Lowlands/ Cupe Coy, Over the Bank, Belvedere, Madame Estate, Pelican Keys, AT Illidge Road, Zagersgut, Belair and Simpson Bay.
Due to the recent spate of engine problems, GEBE power plant technicians have been working around the clock conducting emergency repairs to minimize the effect of the engine malfunctions on the community. With the warm weather, the electricity demand has increased significantly. GEBE is already operating on a tight electricity production schedule since a fire seriously damaged a major diesel generator in 2008, leaving the GEBE power plant with just enough capacity to meet the current demand. Any mechanical problems may lead to short power interruptions.
GEBE Power Plant is already undergoing expansion with the two 11.2 MW generators. The new engines are expected to arrive on the island shortly and should be commissioned by December 2009 in time for the beginning of the high tourism season.
GEBE would like to apologize to its customers for the recent power outages and GEBE would like to assure the community that we are doing everything we can to maintain a steady supply of electricity and to avoid any outages. Once an outage does occur, our team is immediately mobilized to conduct the necessary repairs and minimize the effect of the outages due to malfunctions of the engines on the community.
Updates on the load shedding schedule as well as the ongoing repairs will be available on the GEBE website at www.nvgebe.com as they become available.
New Board for Aviation Pioneers of the Caribbean Foundation
Sunday, July 12th, 2009 15:00
AIRPORT, St. Eustatius – On Saturday, July 11th 2009, the Aviation Pioneers of the Caribbean Foundation elected a new Board. Terrance Rey was elected as the new President, taking over from Elizabeth (Elly) Delien, founder of the Foundation and partner of Winair’s legendary pilot, the late José Dormoy, affectionately known as “Pipe.” Rey is managing director of AirStMaarten , a company specializing in organizing private charters to and from St. Maarten.
Elizabeth "Elly" Delien welcomes new President, Terrance Rey.
Walter Hellebrand, historian and communications professional, was also newly elected to the board and will take on the role of Secretary. Elly Delien stays on as member of the board in the capacity of Treasurer and the Board’s former secretary Nyna Burright, a shipping coordinator working for St. Eustatius Port Services, was also reelected. She will act as substitute secretary.
The Foundation was established on February 12th 2008 by Elly Delien to preserve and promote the history of aviation in the Caribbean - in particular in the Windward Islands – and to pay tribute to the pioneers who opened up the islands to the outside world and thereby played an important role in their development. Some of the ways by which the Foundation tries to achieve its purpose include research and exposure of the history of aviation as well as projects to create more interest in the aviation history of each individual island.
When José Dormoy passed away in 2007, Elly Delien was left with a virtual treasure chest of documents, information and images relating to the early days of aviation in the Windward Islands, an eventful past in which her partner of many years played a very active role. She thought “Pipe’s” personal archive would make a valuable beginning of a collection of information about the history of aviation in the islands that was worth sharing with everybody. She therefore decided to start the Aviation Pioneers of the Caribbean Foundation.
Projects
In its first year, the Foundation’s sizable archive was inventoried and organized. Also, displays commemorating the aviation pioneers were arranged for Saba’s airport and Winair’s sales office in St. Maarten. The Foundation has a number of projects underway set to launch in August and November of this year and, with the new team on the Board, expects to initiate several more to highlight the pilots who opened up the sky for the northeastern Caribbean islands.
Acknowledgments
Elly Delien expressed her thanks to all the former board members for their assistance with the establishment of the Aviation Pioneers of the Caribbean Foundation and especially acknowledged the support of Claudie Banare; film maker Pierre Brouwers, Jerry Casius; Leontien Durby; Michael Ferrier; Faustin, Denise and Robert Ledée; Michel Martinon; AirStMaarten, Mazinga Giftshop and Xerox.
The Board would like to encourage everyone with stories, material or images relating to the history of aviation in the northeastern Caribbean to contact the Foundation so that scans or copies can be made in order to increase the knowledge of its fascinating development.
For further information contact 599-523-4485 - apotcarib@yahoo.com
St. Maarten hires public relations firm to spearhead new marketing initiatives
Tuesday, July 7th 2009 20:14
PHILIPSBURG - The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, representing the Dutch side of the dual Dutch-French shared island nation, is expanding its marketing efforts to raise awareness of the destination across North America and has hired a well-renowned marketing and public relations agency to spearhead a new branding program and new marketing initiatives.
KTCpr, lead by veteran travel industry consultant, writer and publicist Richard S. Kahn, has been retained by the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau to oversee all marketing, public relations, sales, advertising and promotional efforts on behalf of Dutch St. Maarten.
In addition, KTCpr has enlisted the assistance and expert services of Tambourine (formerly Gideon-Cardozo), a well-known branding and advertising firm, which specializes in Caribbean hospitality and destination marketing.
"We are very excited about this new team of experts that have been engaged to work with St. Maarten to help raise awareness of our destination and ultimately spur travelers to book vacations on our island as well as meet for business in our country," said the Honorable Frans Richardson, Commissioner of Tourism for St. Maarten.
"The team at KTCpr, and our extended group of marketing experts under the direction of Rafael Cardozo at Tambourine, are equally excited about the opportunity to work with this Caribbean destination, especially one that is so desirable for vacationers," said Richard S. Kahn, KTCpr president.
Marketing efforts and new initiatives will include the creation and design of a new website, a branding exercise to focus on the attributes of the destination, an expanded public relations awareness campaign and a series of co-op advertising initiatives in conjunction with the private sector as well as with the French side of the destination.
KTCpr is a 19-year-old marketing consulting company formed by Richard S. Kahn, following his tenure as Editor-in-Chief and Associate Publisher of Travel Agent Magazine, a position he held for 15 years. Over the past 19 years, KTCpr has worked with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), representing the region, and continues to work with the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA), representing the private sector throughout the region.
KTCpr represents a diverse group of clients including several boutique hotels in the Caribbean and Mexico, destinations, tour operators, travel agencies and cruise lines and specializes in providing publicity creation, support and implementation including development of special promotions and design of promotional products for both travel trade and consumer distribution.
In addition, the team at KTCpr generates writing, editing, layout and production for newsletters, as well as editorial creation, promotion and production of advertorial sections for consumer newspapers and magazines. KTCpr provides strategic marketing and planning for public relations, promotions and advertising.
Tambourine (formerly Gideon-Cardozo Communications), based in South Florida, is a full-service marketing firm specializing in advanced creative development. "While we service a diverse group of clients, we are proud to have played a major role in the success of the tourism and hospitality industries since 1983, and count among our clients several prestigious five-star resorts and island tourism boards throughout the Caribbean," said Rafael Cardozo, principal.
Cardozo added, "We have hands-on experience with the individual countries, cultures, and languages that comprise the region, as well as a keen understanding of the primary target market, the Caribbean traveler.
"For over 25 years we have partnered with Caribbean destinations and resorts to create distinctive brands that set our clients apart from their competition. We do this by understanding their points-of-difference that make them unique."
St. Maarten
St. Maarten is truly a unique island in several ways. It is the smallest island in the world to be shared by two nations, the Netherlands and France, creating a European-influenced vibe with a Caribbean flare. St. Maarten is also the culinary capital of the Caribbean with an eclectic array of elegantly-perfected culinary fusion that keeps "food lovers" returning each year. And with more than 300 restaurants, the island has something for everyone.
Located at the northern end of the Lesser Antilles, the island has 37 breathtaking beaches and is home to many historical and family-oriented attractions including the vastly abundant treasure trove of rare animal and plant species at the St. Maarten Zoological and Botanical Garden.
The historically-pivotal Fort Amsterdam, the St. Maarten Museum and the picturesque and symbolic Mount Concordia, where a treaty and harmonious peace was forged between the island's two cultures more then 350 years ago, provide other unique attractions.
The Dutch capital of Philipsburg offers duty-free shopping and a bustling city atmosphere in the heart of the Caribbean, while nightlife activities provide endless entertainment at the island's 13 casinos and numerous nightclubs.
For water enthusiasts scuba diving and snorkeling facilities are located throughout the island, which boasts a wide array of marine biodiversity and unique underwater dive sites such as the H.M.S. Proselyte, a notable British frigate which sank in St. Maarten's waters in 1801.
Accommodations are varied with many designed to exceed the expectations of even the most discerning traveler and include elegant private villas, family oriented resorts, quaint cottages and luxury spas resorts.
Air service is available to Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten from a number of U.S. and Canadian cities as well as Europe, South America and the Caribbean.
Source: SXMIslandTime.com
KLM cancels stopover due to technical problem
Inselair saves the day by ferrying passengers between Curacao and St. Maarten who were to arrive and depart on KLM's flight.
Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 20:30
AIRPORT--KLM flight 785 from Amsterdam, scheduled to arrive in St. Maarten around 3pm on Tuesday, went straight to Curaçao instead of making its usual stopover.
Apparently, the airplane’s crew had discovered a minor technical problem and steered straight towards Curaçao to have the problem solved. There was a hydraulic leakage problem that allowed the plane to land safely in St. Maarten, but would have made it difficult to take off again.
“That is why the crew decided to go straight to Curaçao, where the problem could be fixed,” explained KLM Caribbean General Manager Wim Iserief in Curaçao. The cancellation left 110 passengers headed from the Netherlands to St. Maarten slightly dislocated in Curaçao instead of St. Maarten on Tuesday afternoon. Some 60 passengers waiting for the KLM 785 flight to Curaçao and Amsterdam were stranded at St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana Airport.
Insel Air stepped in to accommodate the passengers who were supposed to arrive in St. Maarten today; they were flown in from Curaçao in the early evening. The passengers stranded in St. Maarten who were going to the Netherlands made it to Curaçao on Insel Air’s return flight.
Iserief expected the airplane to be ready for takeoff later Tuesday night with the St. Maarten passengers on board. “It is an exasperating situation for the passengers, but I think it was solved well. Everyone will reach his or her destination with as little delay as possible,” said Iserief.
Source: The Daily Herald
KLM cancels today's flight to St. Maarten
Airline set to increase capacity to St. Maarten from Saturday, June 13th, with a 428-seater Boeing 747-400.
Thursday, June 11th, 2009 21:12
SCHIPHOL--Royal Dutch Airlines KLM has decided to cancel today’s flight to St. Maarten and Bonaire because there were not enough passengers.
A KLM spokesperson said Wednesday that this was only an incidental cancellation. She explained that the airline continuously scanned the bookings on flights. “It can happen that a flight gets cancelled because the occupancy is too low and it isn’t cost-effective to execute a flight,” she said.
KLM’s policy dictates that passengers are always informed of cancellations at least three weeks ahead. In this case, passengers who were booked on Thursday’s flight were also informed in time and they were transferred to other flights.
The spokesperson could not say how many passengers were affected. Today’s flight would have been executed with an MD-11 aircraft which has 294 seats.
KLM had announced in April that it was increasing capacity to St. Maarten from June 11 by adding a third weekly flight. KLM will fly to St. Maarten with a Boeing 747-400 which has 428 seats this Saturday. The airline also makes use of a Boeing 747-400 on Tuesdays.
Source: The Daily Herald
