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Stolte finalising investigation into Governor’s functioning

(from the Daily Herald, picture Koert Kerkhof by Scarlet Windster) ST. EUSTATIUS–National Government Representative Wilbert Stolte is finalizing his investigations into the functioning of Island Governor Gerald Berkel around the fall of the PLP/UPC/STEP in late January. Stolte is to provide the Minister with a report on his findings no later than May 25. Stolte said he had received a letter from Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Liesbeth Spies, dated April 25, in which the Minister asked him to provide answers to a number of questions. These relate to the fall of the island government, the resignation of Commissioners Clyde van Putten and Koert Kerkhoff, the division of portfolios, the  cancellation of appointments, the participation of commissioners in meetings, and the authority of the governor and the new commissioners. A letter, dated March 21, by former finance commissioner Kerkhoff (STEP) was the reason for Minister Spies’ request to Stolte. Stolte informed The Daily Herald he was preparing an answer to the questions posed by Minister Spies, in which he was also to present his findings.

He said he had been engaged in “talks with those involved in St. Eustatius.” Governor Berkel stated Monday he had made “all relevant information available” to the National Government Representative, concerning his alleged wrongdoings surrounding the fall of the previous coalition.

Kerkhoff said he had not been consulted by Stolte, but had spoken with a civil servant. “I have not been speaking with Stolte, and I don’t know with whom he has spoken or not. I do, however, know that to date my former colleague commissioner Clyde van Putten has not been heard by the National Government Representative or any of his appointed civil servants,” Kerkhoff stated.

The issues hinges on the question at which moment the former Executive Council was dismissed. The resignation and dismissal of members of the Executive Council is regulated in the WolBES, the law on the special “entities” Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius. Article 54, sub 2 of this law stipulates the Governor is to act on behalf of the Executive Council when a majority of the commissioners have tendered their resignation or have been dismissed. Article 55 states that a commissioner can tender his resignation at any time by written notice to the Island Council. Normally, there is a month’s notice attached to the resignation, unless a successor has been appointed at an earlier date. In that case, the commissioner is to be dismissed at the same time as the appointment of his successor. National Government Representative Stolte said he is not involved with the appointment and dismissal of commissioners. It is his duty to guarantee that the WolbBES is adhered to by the public entities.

Kerkhoff is of the opinion that a commissioner remains in office, and is authorised and obligated to act on behalf of government, until his dismissal has been approved by the Island Council. He is claiming that he and his former colleague Van Putten had been illegally sidelined by the Governor. The PLP/UPC/STEP coalition lost its majority in the Island Council on January 25, after UPC-leader Regiinald Zaandam informed Governor Berkel by letter that his party had withdrawn it support from the coalition. One day later, island Councilwoman Millicent Lijfrock-Marsdin declared her independence from the PLP, and joined a new coalition with the DP on January 28.

Former Commissioners Kerkhoff and Van Putten did not tender their resignation until January 31, but maintained they would still be members of the Executive Council until their dismissal was formally approved by the Island Council. The new Executive Council was appointed by the Island Council on February 1.

Governor Berkel seems to have been of the opinion that the commissioners had immediately lost their seats in the Executive Council once the coalition had lost the majority in the Island Council. According to Kerkhoff, the Governor had, at that time, been “irritated” and had rejected the former commissioner’s stance on the issue. “According to him the commissioners were no longer part of the Executive Council. My colleague-commissioner and me told him he was wrong,” Kerkhoff wrote in his letter of complaint to Minister Spies. Governor Berkel has dismissed the accusations as being “unfounded,” and denied any alleged wrongdoing surrounding the fall of the previous coalition.

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Commercial pilot Ivanio Courtar made first flight as first officer

ST. EUSTATIUS–Young Statia pilot Ivanio Courtar made the first touchdown as a first officer on board a Windwardslands International Airways Winair aircraft, at F.D. Roosevelt Airport, on Monday morning. After Courtar had landed the aircraft safely, he was welcomed by his  grandmother Elfrieda Prentice and other relatives, who presented him with a bouquet of flowers.

Commissioner of Economic Affairs Koos Sneek, Director of Tourism Charles Lindo, Tourism Public Relations Officer Teena Lopes and staff of Government Information Service congratulated him on this milestone. Courtar completed his studies in The Netherlands last year. The former student of Milton Peters College in St. Maarten studied aircraft mechanics in Amsterdam for four years, after which he worked for Royal Dutch Airlines KLM, for one year. He then started his pilot studies,  which took two years to complete. Courtar is a fully-licensed commercial pilot.

 left to right: Commissioner of economic affairs and tourism Koos Sneek, the pilot Ivanio Courtar, his grandmother Elfrieda Prentice and head of Tourism Office Charles Lindo.

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D’66 demands results on islands’ consumer study

THE HAGUE–The democratic D66 party in the Dutch Parliament’s Second Chamber is putting pressure on the Dutch cabinet to complete the promised investigation into the loss of spending power of consumers and into the poverty situation in Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba. “It is taking too long. In the meantime, people are suffering,” stated Member of the Second Chamber Wassila Hachchi (D66) who, together with her colleague Fatma Ko er Kaya (also D66), posed written questions to Minister of Social Affairs and Labour Henk Kamp and State Secretary of Finance Frans Weekers, on Tuesday.

Hachchi and Ko er Kaya reminded the cabinet members of their earlier promise made late January this year, that there would be an intra-departmental investigation in the Caribbean Netherlands, into the economic situation on the islands, inflation, the sharp decrease in spending power and the effects of the new fiscal system.

The results of this investigation should have been ready by now. In addition to that, Minister Kamp had promised in January that his department would carry out research into the poverty situation on the islands. Hachchi and Ko er Kaya inquired about the status of these two investigations. The Members of Parliament (MPs) called it “improper” that, a-year-anda- half after the islands had acquired their new status as Dutch public entities, on October 10, 2010, there was still no clarity on the problems that residents faced because of a sharp drop in spending power. The MPs urged the members of the cabinet to wrap up the investigations and to send the results to the Second Chamber soon, at least before July 1, 2012. They reminded Kamp and Weekers of the statements by National Government Representative Wilbert Stolte that “the economically- weakest residents on the islands would slide into poverty, if measures took too long to implement.”

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Spies orders Stolte to investigate Berkel

(from the Daily Herald, picture Lt. Gov. Gerald Berkel by Renee Roodheuvel, RNW)

THE HAGUE–Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Liesbeth Spies has instructed National Government Representative Wilbert Stolte to look into the functioning of Statia’s Executive Council, specifi cally of Lt. Governor Gerald Berkel, around the fall of the previous coalition.

A letter by former Statia Commissioner of Finance Koert Kerkhoff (STEP) was the reason for the Minister’s request to Stolte on April 25. In the letter, dated March 12, 2012, Kerkhoff outlined his concerns about the functioning of Statia’s Government and in particular the handling of the Lt. Governor surrounding the fall of the UPC/PLP/STEP coalition late January this year.

According to Kerkhoff, there have been severe irregularities and laws and regulations were trampled upon. Spies stated in a letter to Representative Stolte that Kerkhoff’s letter “greatly worried” her. Both letters were recently made public via the website of the Dutch Government and were sent to the Second Chamber’s Permanent Committee for Kingdom Relations. In his letter, Kerkhoff, who was a Commissioner for a short period, from December 9, 2011 until January 31, 2012, accused Berkel of bypassing him as Commissioner when it became clear on January 25 that UPC had withdrawn its support from the “Coalition of Hope” government.

Kerkhoff, who was in The Netherlands on a working visit when UPC pulled the plug, explained to Minister Spies that Berkel had taken over all communication surrounding NuStar and that the Lt. Governor had instructed the cancellation of a meeting that Kerkhoff had with two persons on January 29.

According to Kerkhoff, the Lt. Governor further told him and his colleague Commissioner Clyde van Putten (PLP) on Monday January 30 that they were no longer part of the Executive Council and that as such they were not welcome in the meeting of the Island Council later that day.

“My colleague and I told the Lt. Governor he was mistaken,” stated Kerkhoff in his letter to Spies. A few days earlier, Kerkhoff had already told the Lt. Governor that he could not move the Commissioners aside just like that. On January 31, Kerkhoff and Van Putten tendered their letter of resignation to the Lt. Governor. “Again, we made clear that we were still part of the Executive Council until the Island Council approved our resignation,” Kerkhoff stated, who added that Berkel assumed the position that he formed the Executive Council by himself.

The former Commissioner informed Representative Stolte of the situation, but didn’t receive a reply. “That is why I am addressing you, because it cannot be in my view that a Lt. Governor poorly communicates, bypasses Commissioners and walks over laws that have been defi ned in the WolBES without consequences,” stated Kerkhoff. Minister Spies has asked Stolte to provide her answers to a number of questions relating to the fall of government, the resignation of the Commissioners, the division of portfolios, the cancellation of appointments, the participation of the Commissioners in meetings, the authority of the Lt. Governor and the new Commissioners. Spies wanted to know exactly what transpired during the fall of government, which date the Commissioner tendered their resignation and under which circumstances they did so.

She asked if the NuStar portfolio had been transferred to the Lt. Governor and if indeed appointments of the Commissioners had been cancelled.

“And were the regulations for Commissioners relating to attending meetings of the Island Council honoured? Has the Lt. Governor put himself in place of the Executive Council? Has the Lt. Governor taken decisions in this position?” She also asked whether the Lt. Governor had sought advice from the Island Secretary, the Island Registrar (griffi er) or any other government offi cial? The Minister further wanted to know whether the  resigned as well as the newly appointed Commissioners complied with the law where it came to reporting their capital and business interest. Spies asked Stolte to respond to him within a month. Stolte was in St. Eustatius around the time that the alleged incidents took place.

He visited St. Eustatius from February 1-4 for consultations with representatives of the Executive and Island Council and to talk with members of the community.

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What about Madame Theatre?

In the Daily Herald of May 9th mention was made of the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed by the department of education, culture and science (OCW) of the Netherlands and the government of Statia.

This was in the Daily Herald last month.

This centre will make use of an existing building on St. Eustatius. One of the options is the former police station. Another option is Madame Theatre opposite Charley’s Place, next to the library. Because they want to start soon, the Madame Theatre location takes too long to renovate. (according to a reliable source)

Another reliable source wrote that the people of the multifunctional Knowledge Centre identified this building as exhibition space.

According to Walter Hellebrand, director of the Monument Foundation, this building is not difficult to renovate and re used. The front and the back of the building are valuable, the space in between is made of cheap material.

Madame Theatre, built by Charlie Arnold between 1964 and 1966. (picture by Walter Hellebrand)

If this knowledge centre wants to be part of the local community and also attract tourists, both the library and the museum, which is in close vicinity of Madam Theatre, could benefit from having such a centre on that location,  especially when exhibitions take place and schools, pupils, teachers go there often.

I would suggest, even if Madame Theatre might not be considered a historical monument, to put it on the monument list.

Since it was built in 1964 – 1966 this is not possible. It is possible though to consider it a protected view (“beschermd stadsgezicht”).

Commissioner Koos Sneek stated that it is too expensive to fix this building and that there is no destination for this building.

In my opinion, it would be terrible for Statia’s culture and heritage to tear down this buidling. Its’ architecture is appealing for tourists. It resembles the architecture of the thirties, no other building on Statia does.

 I remember in the past, there was mention of a parking lot to be made at this spot.

Mr. Hellebrand assured me that that won’t happen. In the 70′s they used to do such things, these days are over.

A new government building will be build from the 800.000 government will get for the land sold to the ministry of Justice. No location for this building is decided upon.

No destination is decided upon for the government buildings that will be empty once this government building is finished and they move in it.

It would be good if the public could also think about how Oranjestad will have to look in the future and what Oranjestad will offer for islanders and visitors.

Here is a picture of when Charlie Arnold ran this place.

Typical Statia logics! (picture by Walter Hellebrand)

 

 

 

 

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Plan B

Plan B.  A few thoughts from Tom Morgan (picture Statia by Walter Hellebrand)

 

 

With Nustar cutting back on its expansion plans, it might be a good idea for movers and shakers of Statia to consider a Plan B for development.

 

WISHES. 

 

First, like all people, folks on Statia want things. They want a new hospital, and new airport. They want a ferry. (Let’s hope the new one succeeds.) They want better shopping. And more nice restaurants. And more hotel rooms. And more airline flights. They want more workers trained. And to higher standards. Some want more doctors. And more dentistry.

 

There is an old expression: If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride. In other words, wishes are not enough. But, they are a start. They can be a blessing when you follow logical paths to pursue them.

 

TOURISM

 

Let’s think beyond the knee-jerk reaction that all tourism is good. Why are all tourists good? Well, they buy things. They fill up hotel rooms and dine at restaurants. They do account for a few jobs and profits for a few businesses. But after that – what?

 

(Let’s put dive tourists in a separate category. They stay for a week or longer. They come to Statia to DO something. And that something supports a number of jobs.)

 

Do you want hoards of tourists? Say, from small cruise ships? Do you want them wandering your streets? Will they have any abiding interest in the island? Will they care about Statia long-term?

 

You have seen such tourists bring drugs to St. Maarten, Anguilla, Jamaica. Not wanting to get caught smuggling them in, they provide the market for big-time drugs. Locals get caught up in the trade. They commit violent crimes.

 

Also, you have seen armies of such tourists support hundreds of merchants in St. Maarten.  Many of whom have zero interest in the people, schools, community and society of that island. They are interested in selling “stuff” to those tourists. And that is it, for most of them. However, they are numerous enough to pressure and bribe governments. To get them to create policies that benefit only their narrow interest.

 

Is it any wonder why St. Maarten is a zoo?

 

A MORE BENEFICIAL POSSIBILITY:  RESIDENTS!

 

Imagine a master plan that encourages the building of, say, 50 houses per year on Statia. For 10 years.  A plan that encourages retirees from Europe, the U.S., Canada., to come and build. These could be nicely laid out areas, largish plots, houses of a decent size, middle to upper middle class.

 

Imagine what such a plan – carried out – could achieve:

 

Jobs.  A regular flow of jobs in the building trades. Enough jobs to probably support training programs for young people. Enough jobs so that many young people could see jobs ahead of them on their own island when they plan their future.

 

More jobs.  As the houses were completed, they would create more jobs.  For repairs. For maintainance. For painting and plumbing. For electrical and lawn care. For pool care and security.  In any given year a few owners would add on, or re-do their kitchens.

 

More jobs.  The people who moved in would need medical services. And dental work. And food, legal and accounting services.  Their numbers might grow enough to support full time dentists and lawyers on the island.

 

Given European/North American spending power, stores would respond with greater offerings, more variety. That would be good for all Statians.  The hospital would have to expand, perhaps add more doctors. Winair (or some airline) would have to offer more flights. Businesses that provide cars, appliances, insurances, shipping and a range of services would all benefit from this spending power. As businesses expanded and offered more services and products, everyone on the island would benefit. A rising tide lifts all boats.

 

CREATING DEMAND

 

So often, people say “We need a new hotel.” “We need some B&Bs.”  The most certain way to get such things is to create a market.  A market of people, buyers, customers.  Residents! In the larger sense, restaurants do not create diners. Demand, by people, creates the restaurants.  Marinas do not create boats. People buy boats and demand marinas to keep them in. Bring more people to live on the island and you will get your restaurants and marina.  And much more. And more people from Europe and North America will attract more tourists.  They will attract friends and their relatives.  And those visitors are much kinder to an island than cruise ship tourists.

 

 

A NICER PLACE TO LIVE

 

Such a program would go far in making the island an even nicer place to live – with more stable jobs and more products and services for Statians. Nice houses would be attractive. The residents and their guests would be interested in the long-term fortunes of Statia.  

 

LOSING CONTROL

 

Statians worry about losing control to outsiders.  Who could blame them?

 

In this plan, they won’t lose control.  Because most of the new residents probably won’t vote.  They will live here only part of the year. Most will be at the latter stages of life. When they are not likely to be interested in radically changing anything.

 

In addition, they would not bring children and would not therefore burden the schools.  Nor would they be likely to burden the social services.  What they would do, instead, is provide a lot of work for a lot of Statians.

 

In further addition: As a group they would possess an enormous amount of experience in many fields. As part-timers or volunteers they could train plumbers, electrical workers, people interested in computers, etc. Their ranks will have ex-teachers, accountants and those from various professions.  What an asset to add to the community.

 

Besides, they would not create a market for drugs. They would not bring crime. They would not compete for existing jobs.

 

 

BUILDING A MEANINGFUL AND STABLE ECONOMY

 

 

Nothing is perfect, of course.  But such a plan has more positives than any plan for bringing in short-term tourists. Especially cruise tourists.  It has more positives and more jobs than any expansion of the terminal.  It goes a long way in reducing the dependency on one big industry.

 

Such a plan would bring new money onto the island over many years and for years beyond.  This is money from pensions based in Europe and North America. It would come in a steady and growing stream.

 

Such a plan – carried out – would not threaten existing political control. It would enhance the quality of life in various areas. Not by wishes, but by natural market forces.  Governments often try, and fail, to attract business development. The secret is to attract people with decent incomes to live on Statia. The spending power of those people will attract the development.

 

Attracting and allowing such people to build 50 houses a year for 10 years will do a lot more good for the island than 35 new fuel tanks for Nustar would have done.

 

 

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All is not lost

Although the island territory has lost a major opportunity to boost the economy for about 2 to 4 years with the withdrawal of the NuStar expansion, we need to realize that all is not lost. As much of a set back this may have been for some, there is still much opportunities to be had for those businesses as well as the would be entrepreneurs and citizens alike that would have taken advantage of the chance to be part of the construction of the NuStar expansion. One thing may have been overlooked by many is the fact that even if the NuStar expansion had been built, the question would of been for many after the 2 to 4 yrs: ” What Next???? ”

Under the current circumstances there are no major projects in sight. The question is what do we do now that the NuStar expansion is gone from the table. Statia has several areas of potential and opportunities for economical growth. As stated by some of the Dutch chamber members in reaction to the NuStar announcement, they are happy that the NuStar expansion has been cancelled and would ask the Dutch government to seek means to help stimulate the islands’ economy. Based on those comments they know what we need.

It should not  be because of the loss of an economical boost such as NuStar that the Dutch Ministers can all of a sudden realize that the infrastructure of the island requires their attention in providing help and assistance. We should have been already underway with this !!!!!!!!!! At the same time the local government needs to act “NOW” on those comments in these dire times and put the proper instruments in place and utilize the available resources in as much as possible. Easier said than done, however appropriate action has to be taken at this juncture to employ those seeking long term employment.

With serious vision and planning, the government of Statia should more than likely step to the Dutch Ministry and outline what the island requires for sustainable development and demand a financial injection in order to make this a reality.

As we are a part of the Dutch Kingdom, special or not special, it should be evident that we are a part of it in terms of infrastructure and also be treated equally as such.

Carlyle Tearr
President Chamber of Commerce Statia/Saba

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Leatherback nesting season started. First leatherback laid eggs on Statia.

ST. EUSTATIUS–St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation Stenapa announced the start of its leatherback nesting season on Zeelandia beach. Marine Park Manager Jessica Berkel witnessed the first nest of the year and was able to identify this female as a new individual for Statia. “This was a small leatherback, and we think that due to her size and her apparent inexperience with the nesting process, this could possibly be her first nesting season; she is certainly a new individual to St. Eustatius,” said Berkel. The nest was verified as a successful lay with the incubation process now underway. Within about 60 days, this nest will hatch. Sea turtles, including leatherbacks, return to the same beach season after season to lay their eggs. This is why it is so important to ensure the integrity of the beach and limit sand mining activities to designated areas, Stenapa stated.

It is against the law to remove sand from the protected beach at Zeelandia, and the public is urged to respect this law. Beach barriers have been put in place to minimise the opportunity for this illegal activity, while still allowing access to the designated areas for sand collection.

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Overwhelming support for Statia from several Dutch Second Chamber members

(picture Jackventures National Geographic) From the Daily Herald THE HAGUE–The Second Chamber is glad Nu- Star’s terminal expansion project in St. Eustatius is not going ahead, at least not in its original form. Parliament will be asking Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Liesbeth Spies to clarify the matter.

Member of the Second Chamber Ineke van Gent of the green left party GroenLinks said on Tuesday that she would submit a request to pose questions to the minister during Parliament’s weekly question hour (vragenuurtje) of the cabinet next Tuesday. Member of Parliament (MP) Ronald van Raak of the Socialist Party (SP) said he would be asking Minister Spies whether she would be prepared to help St. Eustatius to develop a plan that would aid in creating alternatives for the island.

MP Cynthia Ortega-Martijn of the Christian Union (CU), who was not enthusiastic about the NuStar expansion plan, said the Dutch Parliament should not become too involved in the matter. “It is really the authority of Statia’s Government.” Ortega-Martijn, Van Raak, Van Gent and Martijn van Dam of the Labour Party PvdA all were pleased that the original expansion plan would not be going ahead.

“Thank goodness it is off the table,” said Van Raak. “Great news,” added Van Gent. “I am not sorry to hear that,” said Van  Dam. “It shows that the project wasn’t really necessary. This project was all wrong. For the island and its people it was a matter of just having to like it or lump it,” Van Raak told  The Daily Herald “It was not a good plan and a large part of the population was against it,” said Van Gent. “It is better for the island that the project is not going ahead, because not much would have been left of St. Eustatius if it had gone through,” said Van Dam.
Ortega-Martijn pointed out that many residents were against the project at The Farm. “Their opinion has to be taken into consideration, as well as the economic aspect and nature,” she said.

Ortega-Martijn said that like Commissioner Koos Sneek, she was keen to know the reason behind NuStar’s decision. “Is it the high cost involved? Or is this a strategy to still get to 30 tanks, little by little?” She hoped the Executive Council and NuStar would come to an agreement about the cost that had been incurred by local government to handle the permit requests.

Van Raak said he hoped the local and Dutch Governments had learned a lesson from all this. “I hope they learned that they have to listen well to the people, because a majority of the residents didn’t want this project at The Farm.”

Van Gent said that if Nu-Star wanted to expand at another location, the new plan would need to have the support of the people.

Also, the plan to expand at another location should not damage nature, should comply with environmental requirements and should not compromise safety. “NuStar has to accept these points of departure and not the other way around,” she said.

Van Raak and Van Dam want the Dutch Government to assist St. Eustatius in looking at developing alternatives that would make the island less dependent on NuStar. “It is up to the Statia and Dutch Governments to look at other possibilities to help develop the island and to create job opportunities,” said Van Dam.

“The Statia people will have to decide in what way their island will further develop, not NuStar. Local government has to make a plan together with the people, on the condition of the people. However, I say that the Netherlands should play a more active role in informing the people. They are Dutch citizens and they have a right to this.” Van Dam said he was not in favour of any expansion in the field of oil terminals. “It is an old form of industry that barely creates jobs, especially when you consider the space it takes up. It would have been a total pity if this project had gone ahead.” 

Note from Statianews: The second chamber members who are quoted in this article, have been in the opposition. The party members of VVD, CDA and PVV that are in the Kingdom Relations Committee, Andre Bosman, Bas-Jan van Bochove and Eric Lucassen were from the governing parties. Their opinions are not ventilated here. So be aware that this is not “the second chambers’ opinion”, but an opinion of some members of the second chamber that were in opposition when the Dutch government was still in place.

View on St. Eustatius 

In front: Little Mountains, in the back: the Quill, behind the Quill you can see St Kitts’ volcano.

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Too good not to share

Now we need to be proactive with proposals to boost our economy, we have seen over the past months that Statia has made it on a CNN list of top 8 towns in the Caribbean. How can we make this work for us, should we invite different travel writers to come to Statia? Put your thinking caps on, let’s make it happen!

  • I am all pro that but before their must be good places for them to stay. Those people will not be easy on placing in magazines what they think. If we want Statia to be this exposed one must make sure it’s ready. Hotels restaurants..more activities (positive one of course for outsiders to enjoy)
  •  http://www.thestar.com/travel/article/1102231–explore-well-kept-caribbean-secret-of-st-eustatiusThis guy had a great time and wrote about it accordingly fo Canadian newspapers. But Ms. … is right: developing tourism needs a holistic master plan that encompasses all stake holders and issues.
    • www.thestar.com

      Mass tourism has bypassed this outpost of the Dutch kingdom — preserving history and the ability to get know your hosts.
       
    • I still believe that eco-tourism is the way to go. We lack the white sandy beaches, but we have other natural beauties that we can highlight. Ofcourse, the people and government must play an integral role in this by keeping Statia exceptionally clean, paint the houses, do some landscaping, extend the airport, fix the port and upgrade the infrastructure, just to name a few.
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    • Perhaps one can also look into re-developing the agriculture section in order to sustain the island and the visitors alike. A surplus in this area can lead to the exporting of produce to neighboring islands and an increase in the island’s revenues.
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    • I always share with others that each Dutch Island of the Caribbean have their own special beauty and I stand my ground on that where ever I go. Statia does not need a lot of everything..from local to foreign cuisine between them maybe 6.. How about a Pizza place..Hotels needs upgrading..I have gotten complaints from people abroad before on hotel issues..
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    • How about having a Bed and Breakfast..A two of those for starts…People here in America love them..