Spotlight on St. Martin
Winter weather may have hit the streets of Toronto this week, but officials from St. Martin brought a ray of sunshine with them yesterday during an industry lunch (and agent event) at the Fairmont Royal York.
Canada is the fourth most important market for the two-nation – France and Holland – Caribbean island, which attracted about 45,000 of us last year.
Top reasons given to visit St. Martin include the climate (with year-round temperatures ranging between 77 and 84 degrees F.), beaches (there are 37 of them), cultural diversity, activities (including land and sea), gastronomy (the island has more than 350 restaurants offering a wide range of cuisines), bustling nightlife and shopping and sightseeing (including numerous boutique shops, art galleries, museums and historical attractions).
Also popular with visitors is kite surfing and hiking in the St. Martin National Nature Reserve. In March, the second SXM Festival (electro music) will be held, an initiative launched last year by a Canadian that attracted almost 2,000 visitors and 79 DJs from around the world.
St. Martin is also touted as a popular wedding and honeymoon destination.
Pictured at the Toronto event are Emile Louisy (St. Martin Tourist Board), Caroline Torregrossa (Atout France), Kate Richardson (director, St. Martin Tourist Board) and Melanie Paul-Hus (Atout France, Canada).
