Tourism and Economic Affairs Minister Stuart Johnson (third left) with representatives of Port St. Maarten, Sonesta Maho and the Tourist Bureau.
PORT--The soon-to-be-reopened Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino and Spa is the venue for the 2019 Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Platinum Associate Membership Advisory Council (PAMAC) meeting set for June 12-15. The 2018 PAMAC was in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Hosting the conference here solidifies the destination’s continued role as a leader in the tourism industry, said Tourism and Economic Affairs Minister Stuart Johnson, who added that he is “very proud of the St. Maarten resilience.”
The PAMAC conferences give FCCA executives and destination leaders the opportunity to dialogue directly with each other. While traditional conventions are fast-paced, the platinum events create an atmosphere for closer networking and give cruise executives a chance to explore new offerings in the host destination.
The conference offers an opportunity to showcase the rebuilding progress with new tours, shops, restaurants and other attractions. Cruise executives will get to experience “the real-life friendly island experience as we continue to push our overall tourism product to regain and maintain our competitive edge,” said Johnson.
The conference is set to attract some 150 to 200 delegates – all platinum members, and 10-15 cruise executives and top chief executive officers.
Port St. Maarten will organise meetings, tours and nightly events related to the conference. The Port is working closely with St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, other stakeholders and partners to make the conference a memorable experience for attendees.
Port St. Maarten marks 55 years of cruises this year.
