NEW YORK -- Bernadette Davis, St. Martin's director of tourism,
said the island is taking a "multipronged approach" at
strengthening its tourism infrastructure.
Among plans already in the works is a $27 million expansion and
improvement project affecting the road, water, power and recycling
systems; the "regeneration" of Marigot Waterfront; an expansion of
the airport at Grand Case, and improvements to the Orient Bay
area.
Marigot Waterfront will be expanded to attract a variety of
small cruise ships and day-trippers from surrounding islands.
Proprietors lease Creole-style huts from which to sell their
wares, giving the area "more of an island feel," according to
Davis.
Another project possibly affecting the Marigot Waterfront is an
aquarium feasibility study. If approved, an aquarium will be built
in the area and completed in 2003.
Work has begun on a government plan to build a new terminal and
extend the runway by about 5,000 feet at Grand Case's L'Esperance
Airport. There is no time frame for completion.
Already flying into L'Esperance is Guadeloupe-based Air
Caraibes, an interisland carrier.
The airline began service Feb. 1 with five flights daily from
San Juan.
"Guests can bypass the $20 departure tax [charged for departing
Princess Juliana Airport on the Dutch side of the island] by
leaving from Grand Case," said Davis.
Tickets for flights leaving from Grand Case normally include the
$3 departure tax from the French side of the island.
"Also in the pipeline is the Happy Bay resort project," said
Davis. "There is possibility for serious development there."
The property is located in the Grand Case area, "on the last
secluded stretch of beach on the island," according to Davis.
Although the property is without an investor, construction is
underway. The number of rooms and a completion date were not known
at presstime.
In Orient Bay, the beach and vendor areas are being revamped,
with improvements scheduled for completion by February.
Also in the area, ground was broken the week of June 10 on a
20-villa and 40-room hotel. Completion is scheduled for next
spring.
In other island hotel news, the luxury property La Samanna
announced that construction would begin this fall on the addition
of 10 villas with up to four bedrooms each.
Davis hopes the improvements will strengthen visitor arrivals
for some time.
"[Tourism] is all we do -- we plant it, we grow it and we reap
it," said Davis.