PATRIOTS OF STATIA - Devika Chandler

Meet the creator of Carib Thing

Twenty-year-old Devika Chandler also known as "Didi" is the creator of Carib Thing, a social networking service. In 2013 at the age of 17, like many Caribbean youngsters Devika left the island of St. Eustatius to continue her education in the Netherlands. She currently studies cultural and social development at The Hague university of applied sciences.

Carib Thing aims to educate, entertain and empower the Caribbean and other youngsters through the medium of film. The videos are uploaded via its own YouTube channel. On this channel, videos on various topics can be found, such as art and inspirational stories, just to name a few. Carib Thing also has interviews with Caribbean students,  in these videos students share the story of their educational journey in a foreign country. 

How did you come up with the idea?

Well, I have always loved art and been fascinated with entertainment. I spend allot of time on Youtube and enjoy watching movies, cartoons, documentaries, music videos etc. Because of these factors and my passion,  I knew I wanted to start a Youtube channel. I just wasn’t to shore jet  on what kind of content I would create.

Within my study, one of the main focuses is on ways  to empower marginalized groups in society, and how to stimulate citizens to participate in these activities as a result of positive change.  We also focus on in which ways art, self-expression contribute to development and social cohesion.    

During the first semester of my first year, I received a group assignment, where we had to interview professionals in the work field , and present a short film of it in class. I loved it. This first year was my first time I ever spend such a long period away from my mother, sister, and best friends, I really missed them. It was also the first time I was fully independent and  really had to be an adult. Dealing with these things, plus handling school and adjusting to a new environment was difficult. Even though I lived in the Netherlands when I was younger, it was still new in its own way. So I could only imagine for others who lived on  their island their whole life’s, and immigrate to a new country where they don’t have any family. 

I know that our parents, older siblings, cousins and maybe our grandparents all went through this, and the generation after us will follow as well. I believe that we all leave home with a goal to accomplish something. So I created Carib Thing as a platform to share information, support, motivation and advice, for both students who are currently studying and high school students, so they can have insight on the experience.  Carib Thing also tends to people who are hesitant about going go back to school or viewers who just enjoy seeing Caribbean people uniting and the content that is produced.

I’ve received allot of support from Caribbean students, friends and family, and not to forget my fellow Statians. I really enjoy what I  do,  and pray I can keep developing my craft and expand my audiences. As for student life,  I got the hang of things now, but of course life comes with its ups and downs. I just ask the lord for guidance and continue to focus on my goals. 

STATIA TOURISM LAUNCH NEW WEBSITE

STATIA TOURISM LAUNCH NEW WEBSITE

ORANJESTAD, St. Eustatius -The St. Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation (STDF) launched a new fully-featured website. The new website www.statia-tourism.com went live on World Tourism Day, September 27, during the Sustainability Conference. 

The new website is part of STDF’s ongoing efforts to enhance the quality and availability of information to viewers worldwide. The new site has extensive content and offers quick and easy access to essential information and activities on Statia. The purple and green website boasts a modern and attractive design. The updated information and pictures give visitors a realistic insight into what Statia has to offer. 

“We had to make sure the site was ready for the world to see and had every bit of content that we want it to have. As we know, having a website means constant change, and we will be seeing to it that the web pages are highly glossed on a regular basis and accessible to browsers around the clock,” said STDF’s Public Relations Officer Teena Lopes. 

“We are also aware that having a website optimized for usage on a laptop, smartphone, tablet, et cetera, is only half the work. We would like to encourage everyone to visit this website and explore its features,” STDF said. 

The website also has a page which provides detailed information about STDF. Feedback and opinions for content updates are welcome. “Being active daily and connecting with the world of social media is an intricate part of the development. Hence the reason why we encourage all stakeholders to link this site to theirs and we do the same in return,” STDF stated.

Welcome Speech by Commissioner of Tourism, Derrick Simmons - SSC-5

Dear participants,

Seeing our island as a tourist destination and tourism being one of the economic pillars of our economy, we must take into consideration how important sustainability and accessibility are today. The Government of our Island takes pleasure in welcoming you to our island and to the 5^th annual Statia Sustainable Conference (SSC).

When we put our minds together there is no obstacle that can’t be overcome. I anticipate, by using the previous conference as a benchmark, that this conference too will bear fruits and enhance entrepreneurship, resulting in the growth of small and medium businesses.

Let me give a special welcome to the keynote speaker, Mr. Ian Blanchard, Managing Director/Coach CILC Action of Barbados. Make use of his passion for helping businesses be successful. Often we only associate the term coach with sports, but sports coaches are not only there during the sporting event but are often involved in the day to day activities of the athletes. It makes sense to have a business coach also who guides businesses in its development.

On a final note, please actively participate in this conference, because you are encouraged to be a participant rather than a spectator.

Welcome to delegates by Chandé Eboni Rivers

Welcome to the Historical Gem of the Caribbean, St. Eustatius, and welcome to the 5th annual Statia Sustainable Conference. My name is Chandé Eboni Rivers, a 19 year old Hospitality Management student, who attends College in The Netherlands and is fortunate enough to be currently doing Internship at a hotel on St. Maarten and St. Eustatius. Since July 27th, 2016 I have been crowned Statia’s Senior Carnival Queen. My family and I are extremely proud of this accomplishment, but more so honored to be considered an Ambassador for the island of my birth. Coming from a bloodline of Entrepreneurs, I am blessed and driven to become a successful Entrepreneur one day, and in keeping with my area of study, hope to join the Tourism Industry on my Island in the near future and contribute the knowledge and experience I have acquired during my years abroad. To the visitors, especially those who may be visiting us for the first time, I hope that you have considered leaving some space in your schedule to see our beautiful island, perhaps; hike the quill, take a dive or enjoy some local music and food. I wish you all an enjoyable, informative and productive conference.

ANNOUNCING IAN BLANCHARD AS KEYNOTE AT THE 5TH SUSTAINABLE CONFERENCE

ANNOUNCING IAN BLANCHARD AS KEYNOTE AT THE 5^TH SUSTAINABLE CONFERENCE

Ian Blanchard

ST. EUSTATIUS--St. Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation (STDF) together with St. Eustatius Business Association (STEBA) and St. Eustatius National Park Stenapa, will host the St. Eustatius Sustainable Conference. Ian Blanchard will be the opening keynote speaker at the annual conference, which will be held at Mike van Putten Youth Center September 26-27, from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Blanchard will conduct a workshop on the second day of the conference dubbed “Driving Sustainable Leadership.” The conference is designed to challenge tourism planners, policymakers, stakeholders and the general public to develop and implement strategies and practices that can sustain Statia’s limited resources. This year’s conference theme will focus on the island’s accessibility by air and sea connections. Blanchard holds a Higher National Diploma in Telecommunications and a Master of Business Administration from Brunel University in London. He is a businessman, executive coach, and facilitator. Blanchard has served as Chief Executive of Cable & Wireless in Dominica between 2002 and 2004 and in Grenada from 2004 and 2008. In Dominica, he spearheaded the preparation for competition and initiated a number of enterprises, including the now famous Creole in the Park festival. Among his first task in Grenada was to lead the team through rebuilding the telecommunications network after the devastation caused by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. In 2008, Blanchard was called upon to lead Cable & Wireless’ transition into LIME as the company’s Executive Vice-President Transformation.

About the Statia Sustainable Conference

The Statia Sustainable Conference is designed to challenge tourism planners, policymakers, stakeholders and the general public to develop and implement strategies and practices that can sustain Statia’s limited resources.

About the St. Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation

The St. Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation is the agency responsible for promoting and developing tourism on St. Eustatius. The mission is to get the island Government to lend greater priority to tourism by providing adequate funding to effectively and efficiently promote tourism in key markets; ensuring a quality tourism product by introducing and controlling the minimum standard requirements; preparing future generations to take on greater responsibilities within this sector by means of teaching tourism as a subject on levels of the education system.

The STDF office is located at Fort Oranje, Oranjestad, St. Eustatius, Dutch Caribbean. Tel/Fax: +599 318 2433,

Follow us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/page/St-Eustatius-Tourism/184630988242982

ILOVESTATIS BlogSpot: http://ilovestatia.blogspot.com/2016/05/product-development-and-human-resources.html

NEW BOLD AND INNOVATIVE

By Vaughn M. Sams

Not sure if you noticed, but there's something great happening on St. Eustatius! With the economic downturn, we have managed to produce a new wave of young Entrepreneurs. Many youngsters are on the search for a better way and are creating the small businesses to help solve many of the problems we are facing along with providing much-needed services!

For those of you who have that burning feeling inside to create something new/bold/innovative. Act on that feeling! Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark... A large group of professionals built the Titanic. #ProudStatian #ExcitedForTheFuture #Success

Statia Sustainable Conference is ON-THE-GO!

STATIA GET’S READY FOR TASTE OF THE CULTURES ON MAY 26

STATIA GET’S READY FOR TASTE OF THE CULTURES ON MAY 26

In photo: Charlie lopes, Staff member STDF

ORANJESTAD, St. Eustatius (May 18, 2016) -- St. Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation (STDF) and the St. Eustatius Business Association (STEBA) will host the first Statia Taste of the Cultures event on Thursday, May 26, at the dock in Lower Town, starting at 6:00pm. A parade of flags, choreographed by St. Eustatius Historical Gem Dancers, will start off the event.

The taste of the Cultures is billed as a community experience, a cross-cultural event, exhibiting multiple nationalities. Ten groups will participate in the first event representing, among others, Curaçao, Aruba, Suriname, St. Kitts and Nevis, China, Trinidad, Dominican Republic, Barbados, and Statia with an international twist.

“We want to create an atmosphere where all cultures on the island can unite, for united we are stronger,” said Winston Fleming, STEBA President.

“From tasting snacks and having a cold drink from various cultures to engaging in conversations with like-minded people from all walks of life, is the concept behind the event,” said Teena Lopes, STDF Public Relations Officer.

“With the birth of this event, visitors, as well as locals, will have the opportunity to taste the flavours of various cultures.” “Statia, a tiny island with a population of around 4000, has over 40 different nationalities. How best to enjoy each other, then bringing these various cultures together with food, art and traditions, to learn from each other and above all, taste each other’s national dishes,” said Maya Leon Pandt, Product Development and Human Resources Manager.

This food-filled fun day is part of STDF’s monthly tourism awareness programme. Its purpose is to increase/build tourism alertness on the island and at the same time, highlight different aspects of tourism that exists locally. Taste of the cultures is expected to take place on the last Thursday of the month.

“This will be an eye-catching extravaganza for all to enjoy. We encourage folks to come along with the kids and treat their taste buds,” said Fleming.

STATIA TASTE OF THE CULTURES - First addition

TOURISM FOUNDATION ATTENDS HUMAN RESOURCES CONFERENCE ON ANTIGUA

 Product Development and Human Resources Manager Maya Leon-Pandt and Office Assistant Sharmin Turner prior to departure.

TOURISM FOUNDATION ATTENDS HUMAN RESOURCES CONFERENCE ON ANTIGUA

ORANJESTAD, St. Eustatius (May 11, 2016) --St. Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation (STDF) will be attending the eight Tourism Human Resources (HR) Conference, which will be held May 11- 13 at Jolly Beach Resort and Spa in Antigua. The theme of the conference is “Making Excellence a Habit; Service, Loyalty, and Profitability in Caribbean Tourism.

The conference is to bring together tourism practitioners from both the public and private sectors, human-resource professionals, tourism educators/trainers and consultants, as well as tourism and hospitality students of tertiary institutions, to share strategies and best practices on areas and issues affecting the tourism and hospitality sectors, to provide updated information on various aspects of tourism’s development, to enhance skills and to allow opportunities for professional networking.

Product Development and Human Resources Manager Maya Leon-Pandt and Office Assistant Sharmin Turner at the Opening ceremony this morning.

STDF Product Development and Human Resources Manager Maya Leon-Pandt and Office Assistant Sharmin Turner will attend the three-day conference. “I attended the HR Conference before and it has a wealth of information on employee relations especially in the hospitality field. Useful information that applies to everyday working life,” said Pandt.

Attendees can learn from speakers of international and regional acclaim, who will provide information on the development of a sustainable tourism industry to position the Caribbean as a desirable, year-round warm-weather destination. STDF’s public relations officer Teena Lopes said a key part of the conference is the forum where tourism and hospitality students have an opportunity to showcase, in an interactive way, their knowledge of the importance of tourism to the Caribbean.

According to the information listed on the Caribbean Tourism Organization's (CTO) site, onecaribbean.org, This year’s programme will include two interactive and practical master classes facilitated by “very knowledgeable and dynamic” experts. One master class will seek to enhance participants’ understanding and awareness of how the process of continuous improvement can contribute towards the pursuit of service and business excellence while the second master class will delve into the topic of how to increase customer and brand loyalty.

EARTH DAY MESSAGE FROM THE CARIBBEAN TOURISM ORGANIZATION

EARTH DAY MESSAGE FROM THE CARIBBEAN TOURISM ORGANIZATION

FRIDAY 22 APRIL, 2016

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Today the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) joins the world in recognizing and celebrating Earth Day.

Here at the CTO, our core purpose is to lead sustainable tourism as we strive to make the Caribbean the leading sustainable tourism destination in the world.  The tourism sector and the environment are inextricably linked and environmentally responsible tourism is paramount to the sector’s sustainability and overall success.  

Tourism must be stewarded and balanced so that the benefits for the environment, the communities it serves, its employees and the economy, outweigh the costs.

Two years ago, we joined the rest of the environmentally-conscious world in lobbying for a new international climate change agreement backed by supportive and where necessary, punitive national initiatives that encourage more responsible environmentally friendly behavior.

At the recently concluded Conference of Parties 21 *(COP21) the Caribbean’s position was clear and we at the Caribbean Tourism Organization endorsed the call for “1.5 to stay alive”. We were thrilled with the news that an agreement had been reached.

Today, at a ceremony at the United Nations, President Barack Obama of the United States and President Xi Jinping of China will be the first to sign the Paris Agreement on climate change, the first day the United Nations accord will be open for government signatures.

This new agreement offers hope.  As many of CTO’s members are Small Island Developing States (SIDS), we remain optimistic that the tremendous strides made in Paris will help to ensure that this issue continues to occupy a prominent position on the global agenda. 

This year’s Earth Day theme ‘Trees for the Earth’ contributes to three main positives for a better world:

·    * The mitigation of climate change and pollution,

·    * Protection of biodiversity

·    * Supporting community and livelihoods

The Caribbean Tourism Organization pledges to pursue additional creative solutions to the many issues that face us, to benefit our citizens and visitors for generations to come. We hope that you will join us in our pledge and be part of the commitment to be socially and environmentally responsible.

Happy Earth Day

VISITOR STORY - Uncommon Attraction: Hike To The Heart Of Statia’s Quill Volcano

After years of eschewing any/all calls of the wild, I seem to have settled into a once-a-year hiking routine. Earlier this year, I enjoyed a snake-filled solo-trek along The Mastic Trail in Grand Cayman. This followed a 2010 lover’s romp with my wife up and down The Source Trail in Nevis. Both journeys were fun and inspiring in their own special ways, but now, with 2012 just a few short days away, I’m planning an even more uncommon adventure to the very heart of a Caribbean volcano!

Destination: St. Eustatius, the Dutch Caribbean paradise better-known in the islands as Statia.

Volcano: The Quill, which as you can see in the photo above and on the 1795 map below, is the dominant geographic feature on predominantly flat Statia.

NORMAN B. LEVENTHAL MAP CENTER AT THE BPL VIA FLICKR

As a lover of history and all things uncommon/Caribbean, Statia has always appealed to me. The island is super tiny – just 8.1 square miles in size with a population barely pushing 2,500. Even so, this was once one of the wealthiest ports in all of the Caribbean!

In the 18th century, the competing European colonial powers did not trade or engage in any legal commerce among themselves. If you were a French island, you traded with France; Spanish with Spain, etc.

Dutch Statia, though, was different. The local powers that were on the island adopted a neutral stance toward commerce, inviting trade with the French, English, Spanish, Portuguese and anyone else who happened to sail to her shores. Statia’s economy flourished, of course, earning the island a lofty nickname: The Golden Rock.

However, Statia’s neutrality eventually came back to bite the island (and the Netherlands in general) mainly because its arms dealers had no problem supplying American revolutionaries with enough guns and ammo to defeat the British. Some say there would be no United States of America today had it not been for tiny Statia, something the English couldn’t let slide once it lost the 13 Colonies for good. The Fourth Anglo-Dutch War ensued, devastating the Dutch Republic, including little Statia.

It’s a rich history, and one certainly every red-blooded American should be keen on exploring, but as noted above, the hike up and into the Quill is worth the trip as well.

The Quill soars to an elevation of just under 2,000 feet. There are eight different trails around and in (literally) the volcano and the surrounding Quill/Boven National Park, each offering varying levels of difficulty. The shortest, The Bird Observation Trail, only takes 20 minutes, meandering through the Park’s Botanical Garden. It links with The Round the Mountain Trail, which traces the boundary of the Park over a five-hour trek.

Those hikes sound nice, but I’m gearing up for the bigger thrill of combining the Quill and Crater trails.

The Quill Trail starts in upper Oranjestad, Statia’s capital,and takes you to the rim of the volcano in just under an hour. A piece of cake, right? Well, here’s where the fun really starts…

From the rim, you can pick up the Crater Trail, which true to its name, takes you right down to the crater floor inside the Quill, some 273 feet above sea-level. The trail winds around a 90-minute loop in the heart of the crater’s thick rainforest.Imagine the size and lushness of the plant life growing there?! I’ve read that breadfruit, plantains, figs and even edible raspberries can be found to fuel your hike.

What else might you find inside the Quill? From the Statia Tourist Office website:

There are at least 17 different kinds of orchids, some quite rare on the island. You may also come across iguanas, land crabs, butterflies and exotic birds.

Notice how they don’t say anything about snakes? I’ve read that you might find those too, but like the slithery friends I made in Grand Cayman, they’re said to be non-poisonous, so no worries there.

VISITOR STORY - Uncommon Envy: Statia’s Old Gin House Has Me Smittened

Love at first sight can be a dangerous thing. There’s just nothing sensible about it, which often means harsh consequences come about because of it.

I know all this, of course… Experienced those harsh consequences a time or two as well.

Still, when it comes to The Old Gin House in St. Eustatius, I just don’t care. I’ve been smitten with the place ever since I first glimpsed her website a couple years ago. I haven’t visited yet, but it’s right near the top of my ever-expanding Caribbean travel wish list. If you’ve ever looked into taking a trip to Statia, then I’m sure you feel the same way too, and not just because there are so few other choices.

The Old Gin House oozes with history and charm, two key elements I love in a hotel. True to its name, and perhaps a bit misleading to the tipplers among us, the property is a faithful reconstruction of an 18th-century building that actually housed a cotton gin. Those bricks you see on its walls, they were once used as ballast by ships calling on the island.

The historic aspects of the hotel are complemented nicely by its location along Oranje Bay, just steps from the ruins of the ancient stone warehouses stemming from the island’s heyday as The Golden Rock. Just up the hill, guests can explore Fort Oranje, the 17th-century citadel from whence the first official salute to what was then a brand new country called the United States of America was made on November 16, 1776.

The history alone is enough to make me want to check-in here, but as you might imagine, there’s a lot more to this special place. Take the rooms, for instance…

http://www.uncommoncaribbean.com/2012/05/17/uncommon-envy-statias-old-gin-house-has-me-smittened/

Dive video - Statia, Dutch Caribbean

St. Eustatius - Holiday Destination

Amazing video from one of our visitor - Vlada Vladic

A Glimpse of St. Eustatius - By Rob Helmink

Island in the sun

BOUYON ARTISTE ASA BANTON WILL PERFORM DURING EASTER-VAL ALONG WITH JAMMBOYZ BAND AND DJ SENSE

REBELS BAND HD TO PERFORM AT CARIBBEAN FLAG FEST ON ST. MAARTEN

Statia Carnival Tentative Program!

Couple ties the knot on Statia after visiting Mazinga on the Bay

From the Daily Herald March 7th, 2016

Newlyweds André Pickering and Cisne Pickering Benjamin together with three witnesses 

A couple, who travelled to St. Eustatius to attend the Women’s Day Conference and Gala that was held Friday and Saturday, decided to tie the knot on Statia. Public Relations Officer of the Tourism Office Teena Lopes was contacted and assisted bride Cisne Benjamin with all the arrangements at the Census Office, because the office is normally closed for business during the weekend. The newlyweds originate from Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. 

Mazinga on the Bay!

Benjamin said that while walking on the streets of Lower Town and seeing the historical Mazinga on the Bay building, she decided that she wanted to get married and the ceremony had to be in that specific building. The restored 18th. century brick building is home to a gift shop and an apartment building. Benjamin contacted Mazinga’s owner Leontine Durby-Ten Have, who was happy to comply with Benjamin’s wishes. 

Mr. & Mrs. Pickering

The wedding ceremony of bride Benjamin and groom André Pickering was performed by Census Office of- ficials Dorothy van Zanten and Cheryl Dorset on Saturday, around 4:30pm. Road March winner Lady Shorteh was “da bomb” as she sang, “Because You Love Me.” Tears flowed freely during the ceremony when the couple embraced each other during this song. Conference delegates served as wedding witnesses, who were also seen shedding tears of joy.

Local entertainer Lady Shorteh along with other guests

NEW TRAVEL AGENCY OPEN'S ITS DOORS ON STATIA

BTNT Managers fro left Monique Martis and Ilka Schmidt. 

New travel agency Butterfly Tours N Travel (BTNT) opened its doors in St. Eustatius. BTNT offers customers travel to any desirable destination and serves even today’s most-sophisticated travelers with luxury guided tours and vacation packages around the world. “Persons can book tickets to any destination on board Insel Air, and many other carriers,” BTNT Manager Monique Martis said during the Women’s Day Conference and Gala, where she was the youngest entrepreneur on the panel. Martis said that while the Internet continues to prove that it is a valuable source of information, BTNT’s counsellors and trained professional tour directors are valued for their ability to personalize travel experiences. The travel agency is located in the FedEx office on Fort Oranjestraat, and is open workdays from 8:00am to 5:00pm.

OWNER AT LYN’S DREAM BAKERY INTRODUCES ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY BAGS

Environmentally safe and friendly bags in various colors.

Owner of Lyn’s Dream Bakery Lynette Anson-Leerdam decided to take action against the pollution caused by plastic bags, and purchased environmentally-friendly bags, offering these to all her customers free of charge. Research has proven that plastic bags take up to 1,000 years to dissolve on earth, and their effects are harmful and cause hazards. “Even though plastic bags are one of the modern conveniences that we seem to be unable to do without, they are responsible for causing pollution, killing wildlife, and using up the precious resources of the earth,” Anson-Leerdam said. 

Lynnette Anson-Leerdam of Lyn’s Dream Bakery (right) handing out a re-usable bag to one of her customers, an officer of the Royal Dutch Marechaussee.

“I am sick and tired of these plastic bags, they are destroying our beautiful island. The environmentally-friendly bags you can re-use for many years, so we decided to make the change seeing that our business marks five years this year,” she added. Switching to environmentally-safe and -friendly bags was the first step for Lyn’s Dream Bakery. The company will also be implementing paper bags for their bread in the future. 

Lynnette Anson presenting at Women's Day Conference on Statia, March 4th, 2016

Anson-Leerdam spoke about her “ban” on plastic bags during the Women’s Day Conference and Gala, which is taking place Friday and today, Saturday, at Mike van Putten Youth Centre, and explained why she has stopped handing out plastic bags to customers. She said she walked on Zeelandia beach along the dumpsite and saw the mess caused by plastic bags, not only on land, but also to ocean wildlife. “Other islands and countries around the world have banned the use of plastic bags in stores, shops and restaurants. This might be something that islands within this region could also implement, seeing that the Caribbean is so tourism-dependent” said Director of Tourism Charles Lindo in a reaction.

WINAIR ELIMINATES FUEL CHARGES RESULTING IN LOWER FARES

AIRPORT ROAD - Effective March 01/16 all passengers travelling on WINAIR will benefit in lower ticket prices with the elimination of all fuel charges on flights operated by WINAIR.

With world fuel prices at record lows, WINAIR will eliminate fuel charges for passengers and cargo on WINAIR’s network.

WINAIR reduced fuel charges six months ago in accordance with lower fuel costs for the airline.

With current fuel prices, WINAIR will no longer be required to collect fuel surcharges to cover these additional costs. This will reduce costs for the airlines customers as they will no longer incur these additional costs.

NEW TRAVEL AGENCY ON STATIA

ORANJESTAD, St. Eustatius (February, 29^th, 2016) -- Butterfly Tours N Travel (BTNT), a new travel agent provider on Statia announces the operation of their newly established business on the island. BTNT now offers customers the perfect chance to travel to any desirable destination and at low-priced costs.

“We currently run our operations on Oranjestraat at the FEDEX office, however, the location is expected to change within one month, said Ilka Schmidt, Manager BTNT.

BTNT is a recognized company that specializes in the art of travel. Also, the travel agency serves today’s most sophisticated travelers with luxury guided tours and vacation packages around the world.

“We make bookings with, Royal Caribbean cruise line, Carnival cruise, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Cruises, Pulman tour, Croissoir de France, just to name a few”, Said Monique Martis, Manager BTNT. “Persons can book tickets to any destination onboard Insel Air and many other carriers”, Monique added.

While the internet continues to prove it is a valuable resource, BTNT counselors, and trained professional tour directors are valued for their ability to personalize travel experiences. The organization is open daily from 8 Am until 5 PM.

A tourism campaign for locals on Statia

By Gay Nagle Myers

While it is not a big player by any means in terms of tourism numbers in the Caribbean region, tiny St. Eustatius, known affectionately as Statia, is determined to make its case heard.

The eight-square-mile Dutch island, with a population of approximately 4,000, is served by frequent 20-minute flights on Winair from St. Maarten.

A few thousand visitors visit each year to walk the few black-sand beaches, hike the mountain called the Quill, dine in the small restaurants in the capital of Oranjestad, explore dive sites and bed down in a handful of small inns and hotels.

The island is yet to be discovered by most travelers and while its size and infrastructure could never support mass tourism, the Statia Tourism Development Foundation has launched a campaign called “I am Tourism” to raise awareness among the local community about the importance of tourism, via a series of community meetings on the island.

Every month a different tourism topic is highlighted, and categories include sports, agro-tourism, voluntourism and heritage and community tourism.

The landscape of St. Eustatius, known also as Statia, is rocky, and its few beaches are black sand.

The campaign will run through mid-2016.

“The objective of the program is to create tourism awareness within the community to get citizens more tourism-minded and involved through activities and information,” said Charles Lindo, director of the foundation.

“The island is on the cutting edge of tourism development, and the government has recognized that tourism is one of the key economic pillars in the Caribbean," Lindo added. "As a Caribbean island, Statia deserves a slice of the tourism pie.”

http://www.travelweekly.com/Caribbean-Travel/Insights/A-tourism-campaign-for-locals-on-Statia 

Unity - by Juliette George

Unity!

I I I I

I I I I

The word is unity

Too much of this I thing a gwan

The UN in unity is many coming together for a common goal. 

I never achieve nothing alone.

“I have no problem when I is used in a ‘greeting’, Yes I wah gwan?”.

No problem when I is used as a noun.

The problem becomes when I sticks out its chest and becomes a repetitive word stuck on a repetitive repetitive repetitive song, forgetting that I didn’t reach where they are or where they want to go alone.

This I I I thing

This Me Me Me thing accomplishes nothing.

Unity is always better

Inclusion multiplication is better than division

It takes a village, so, as a community, let’s link up, Come together we’ve done much, but there’s still more work to be done.

I can’t You can’t do it alone!

Written by a local poet: Juliette ''Nyha'' George.

Teamwork is KEY for STDF's Community Tourism Awareness Program

Photo credit: Heskief Simmons

The St. Eustatius Tourism awareness program is ongoing. Since the program started November last year, each month the department focussed on various forms of tourism and themes, such as; Community Tourism, Tourism in the Community, Sports Tourism, and Business Tourism. 

Please see itinerary below:
- November -- I AM TOURISM, video clip. (Community Tourism)

- December --  Christmas Tree District Light Up themed "Spread the joy, Light a tree" (Tourism in the Community)

- January -- I WANNA BE LIKE ASHA, run & walk. (Sports Tourism)
- February -- Month of Pride, Straight outta Statia (Community tourism)
- March -- Women's Day Conference & Gala -- (Business Tourism) 

More to come..

The primary purpose of the program is to increase, build tourism awareness on the island and at the same time, highlight the different aspects of tourism that exists locally. STDF strongly believes that this campaign will increase a high volume of awareness in the community. For the duration of the campaign, STDF will continue to work with the different stakeholders on the island. The tourism awareness campaign is expected to run until September this year.

In order to strengthen STDF's communication skills with locals and visitors alike, thThe Public Relation Officer at STDF, Teena Lopes is busy working on a network distribution list and is encouraging local's to get on board and join our email list. Persons may contact Ms. Lopes at [tel] 00599 3183081 or [e-mail] teena.lopes@statiatourism.com. 

We do hope that by STDF organizing this campaign our community will understand why their involvement in tourism is vital. This is one of the ways in which we plan to enforce our teachings and practices with Statia. 

Companies worked with already.
St. Eustatius Business Association (STEBA)
St. Eustatius Chamber of Commerce
St. Eustatius Promotion of InternationalCulture and Education  (SPICE)
Caribbean Overseas Small Medium Enterprises (COSME)
Statia Get in Shape (JOGG)
St. Eustatius Sports Foundation
St. Eustatius Arts and Cultural Heritage Foundation (STACH)

Sponsor of the campaign:
Nustar NV
Statia Get In Shape
STDF
COSME 

WINAIR