Belmond La Samanna Hotel. (Robert Luckock photo)
MARIGOT--The Association of French Hoteliers AHSM has called for an immediate suspension of taxes and levies over fears of impending economic fallout from the rapidly evolving coronavirus COVID-19 situation.
It was one of the points raised at the association’s recent General Assembly held in the Chamber of Commerce. Fiscal and social issues were part of the discussions. It said suspension of payment of taxes and levies must be taken for all businesses of the territory, to face the new difficulties presented by COVID-19 on an economy already destroyed by Hurricane Irma damage.
Several topics were discussed, including the natural risk prevention plan PPRN, land use planning, professional training, collaboration with Dutch St. Maarten and the Caribbean, collaboration with the respective tourism offices, Pôle Economique, the Préfecture and its services, and the Chamber of Commerce CCISM.
Following this General Assembly, AHSM had invited the main representatives of the tourism sectors, a total of some 40 people, to exchange views on the theme of the representativeness of local tourism stakeholders. It was reminded that membership of AHSM is open to all tourism representatives. The statutes of AHSM provide for the membership of host members, affiliate members, members of the association, members of the association's committees, members of the board of directors and honorary members.
There was general agreement that all players in the tourism industry in the territory wish to work towards the same goal: “The successful experience of our clients from the moment they arrive at the airport until their departure, on all services, airport reception, taxi, car rentals, restaurants and bars, shops, water sports rentals, leisure activities, accommodation, etcetera.”
Several persons pointed out that the topics of land use planning, promotion and training, among others, must be carried out by a central, representative structure of all tourism representatives to defend their actions to the Collectivité. The grouping of tourism stakeholders will allow a centralised organisation of tourism activity.
The AHSM board will meet next week to continue this process.
A review of the 2019 actions was presented to the audience during the General Assembly, followed by the presentation of public accounts and the election of the new board, all voted unanimously by the audience.
President is Patrice Seguin (Le Beach Hotel), first Vice-President Éléonore Astier-Pétin (Belmond La Samanna), second Vice-President Jean-Francois Billot (Grand Case Beach Club), Treasurer Franck Guyot (La Playa Hotel), General-Secretary Paco Benito (Secrets Hotel), and Project Manager Isabelle Gabard (Carimo)
