The second SXM Lagoon Festival (see Wednesday newspaper) indicates this event will indeed become annual, following last year’s inaugural edition. Host Port de Plaisance cemented its role as venue for marine-related gatherings including next week’s St. Maarten Heineken Regatta.
The festival near the end of March marks an unofficial conclusion to the yacht cruising season, where especially crew get to relax and celebrate. They usually deserve such after a busy period, because no matter how much fun it may seem on Bravo network’s “Below Deck” TV series, being employed on a boat is hard work.
The event comprises various parts, of which a “Best of the Best Chef” competition and Food Truck Festival stand out as more proof of the destination’s rich culinary experiences. Culminating with a “Carnival by the Bay” party, it closely follows the Causeway Jump Up of St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) scheduled for March 16.
Together with the SXM Festival centred at Happy Bay March 11-18 and the long Easter weekend followed by the climax of Dutch-side Carnival, these activities help ensure a significant number of visitors until early May, far beyond the traditional high winter season. The contribution this entails to the dominant hospitality industry of the island should not be underestimated.
Just as example, on the same edition’s “People” pages, Singapore confirmed awarding pop star Taylor Swift a grant – in addition to ticket sales – for performing there as her only tour stop in Southeast Asia, citing economic benefits. The amount paid was not disclosed, but Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin mentioned US $2.77 million per each of the six sold-out shows planned in front of a combined 300,000 spectators.
Since COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns were over, the country has already seen concerts of big names like Blackpink, Coldplay and Ed Sheeran. It illustrates that, at least to them, event tourism seems to make sense.
