The presence of Saint-Martin Tourism Office at the World Travel Market (WTM) Latin America (see Wednesday newspaper) helps keep the destination on the map in this part of the Western Hemisphere. That could not come at a better time, considering the negative impact of US trade tariffs on the country’s travel abroad at least for now.
The fair took place in Sao Paulo, Brazil, one of the biggest potential visitor markets for the region. The Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) recently reported that South America was the fastest-growing source area last year, with a 17.8% hike to two million arrivals.
Over the past two days, Curaçao announced three new non-stop flights per week out of Lima, Peru, with LATAM Airlines starting next December and – in today’s edition – Colombian low-cost carrier Wingo resuming service from Bogota, Medellín as well as Cali during the summer. This, in addition to existing flights by other Colombian airlines and of Brazil’s Azul from Belo Horizonte.
The so-called ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao) are obviously much closer and easier to reach destinations for travellers in those nations. However, Copa Airlines also provides a good connection to St. Maarten via its Panama City hub.
Still, attracting some type of direct airlift out of a major South American city would be a major boost for ongoing efforts to get more business from that continent. Local authorities and hospitality partners have in the past even arranged charters from Brazil, so it’s not something that can’t be done.
Especially under the current economic circumstances, achieving such a breakthrough would be most welcome at this point.
