04 Dec Interview with Grisha Heyliger-Marten, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication, Deputy Prime Minister, Sint Maarten
How does Sint Maarten set itself apart as both a regional economic leader and a vibrant cultural hub in the Caribbean?
Sint Maarten is one of the most unique islands in the Caribbean. We have two airports, two sovereign flags — France and the Netherlands — and take pride in being a true Caribbean melting pot. On the Dutch side, just 16 of the island’s 37 square miles, we have 120 nationalities. What makes Sint Maarten special is the mix of European influence and Caribbean culture. Visitors enjoy Michelin-style cuisine, especially on the French side, and vibrant nightlife on the Dutch side. Within minutes by boat, you can explore Anguilla and return to Sint Maarten. There is never enough time in just one week, which is why so many people have made Sint Maarten their home.
Our tourism industry supports hotels, taxis, tour operators and retail. Sint Maarten offers both European-style shopping on the French side and American-style shopping on the Dutch side. Our port is expanding to handle larger ships, allowing three to four at a time, which many Caribbean ports cannot accommodate. Facilities like Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities make us a leader in the region, boosting business for the local service community and creating new opportunities.
How has the evolution of government since independence helped build long-term stability and investor confidence?
We are a young country. Sint Maarten became autonomous only 15 years ago. Previously, it was part of the Netherlands Antilles. We are still building our institutions and adapting Dutch laws to our own systems; we are learning and growing as a nation. We implemented electoral reforms that — in my view — have not served us well and contributed to instability over the past 15 years. The new government understands the public’s frustration with elections every two years. While the previous administration barely completed its term, this one aims to serve a full four years, with reforms in place. We moved from a monistic system — where commissioners also served on the island council — to a dualistic one, separating legislative and executive powers. We now have 15 members of parliament and seven ministers, aligning with the principle of trias politica. It has not been perfect, but this government — formed by four parties — is committed to real reforms and stability.
What actions is the government taking under the 2025 Financial Stability Plan to bolster local industry and promote sustained economic growth?
One of our main priorities is sustainability. On the financial side, we are transitioning from direct to indirect taxation. In agriculture and food security, Sint Maarten has lagged for years. My department is establishing the Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries Agency (ALF) to support farmers, fishers and animal husbandry. The agency will help with packaging, import-export activities and promoting local products through buy-local initiatives. This is expected by mid-to-late next year and will include modern agritourism such as farm-to-table experiences. I am holding introductory meetings with neighboring islands — Barbados, Bahamas and Jamaica — but trade will only start once the ALF is established. Its main role will be to support farmers and manage trade. Our priority is food security; we want to protect local producers, assess what we can grow and import regionally. We are also creating a new cannabis industry as a sustainable economic pillar. The cannabis law is finalized and should pass by the second quarter of 2026, with ALF overseeing its rollout. This will be a major business attraction for Sint Maarten.
A top priority is fiscal reform. Currently, businesses face a 5% transient occupancy tax, 30-40% wage tax and 34.5% profit tax, which is unsustainably high. At present, we can only offer a 10-year tax holiday to hotel developers. We need urgent reforms to reduce or eliminate these burdens and begin attracting diverse investors. Once this is in place, our next focus can be on innovation and areas like fintech. We plan to launch an Innovation Investment Promotion Agency. Currently, tourism and cannabis offer the best investment potential.
What major developments are elevating Sint Maarten’s tourism offering in 2025 and the years ahead?
We are redefining luxury hospitality in Sint Maarten by focusing on boutique hotels and upscale tourism. In addition to Planet Hollywood, we have a few boutique and five-star hotels slated to break ground in 2026. We are upgrading infrastructure and targeting high-end travelers, maintaining U.S. and Canadian markets while increasing focus on South America, Europe, Australia and Africa. The Dutch side has around 2,000 hotel rooms and 3,000 Airbnbs, while the French side has 5,000 villas. Next year, we will ensure Airbnb taxes are properly collected and establish the Sint Maarten Tourism Authority to boost marketing and target luxury tourists. Our plans include island beautification, airport expansion and possibly U.S. preclearance, all aimed at attracting upscale visitors.
After seven years, we rebuilt our airport following Hurricane Irma in 2017. It is beautiful but still too small, so the next phase is expansion. This will allow us to target more visitors and boost activity during the traditional slow season from May to September. Hotels typically run at around 60% occupancy in these months. However, we had one of our best slow seasons in 2024. Our goal is to attract new audiences, shift marketing efforts to summer markets and create year-round sustainability for Sint Maarten tourism.
Why is Sint Maarten a standout option for Americans seeking both a memorable getaway and strong investment potential?
If you visit Sint Maarten, you will fall in love with the island; with Dutch and U.S. treaties, it is especially easy for American investors to conduct business here. We are a melting pot with a unique mix of European and Caribbean culture. Our food, people and atmosphere are unlike anywhere else, and that will entice you to do business with us. We welcome all U.S. visitors to our friendly island.
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