May-Ling Derby-Chun

18/08/2024

In less than 24 hours Monday august 19 as you step into the voting booth, remember this: enough is enough. You—the hardworking men and women of St. Maarten—you are treated as mere spectators in a game that you should be playing. You deserve better. You deserve leaders who remember that their power comes from you, who understand that governing is a sacred trust.

For those STILL undecided or not voting I say VOTE. Not voting should not be an option, not voting takes away your voice. Voting is the fundamental display of democracy, which seems to be at stake in many parts of the world. you matter and you can be a part of the change that is necessary if we are to navigate a different course.

Choose maturity, choose experience, choose people with a track record, whom have displayed proper communication abilities. It is time to demand accountability from those who seek to lead us. It is time to support candidates that will work tirelessly for you the people of Sint Maarten.

I, 🔴9 Derby geb. Chun May Ling A.M.R on the DP list, know that I have the experience to represent you. The power is in your hands. Let your vote be a cry for change. I will stand firm, I will respect you the people, and together with my party will work tirelessly for the betterment of our island.

16/08/2024

13/08/2024

St. Maarten stands at a critical juncture, facing economic and social challenges that require experienced and visionary leadership. My extensive background in tourism and business development, overall and crisis management and my strategic approach to problem-solving make me uniquely qualified to be part of parliament the body that has to move our island towards a more stable and prosperous future. I am committed to strengthening our economy and tourism product by diversifying our offerings, improving quality, and fostering sustainable practices. My vision for St. Maarten includes: •Economic Stability: By boosting our tourism industry, we can create more jobs, support local businesses, and enhance the overall quality of life for our residents. •Sustainable Growth: Implementing sustainable tourism practices to ensure that our natural resources are preserved for future generations while still attracting visitors.•Community Engagement: Building strong community relations and consensus through transparent communication and inclusive decision-making processes.

01/08/2024

Bridging the Gap between our communities and Tourism serie 5 of 5

Where do we start?

Reality is there is an unclear description on how our communities can and should be involved in the whole planning and continuous development of our tourism industry. Reality is also that many citizens in our communities feel tourism does not benefit them. the first step is to assess and to understand how big of a gap we are dealing with. This is where for example sampling method can be implemented by executing 8-week questionnaire throughout all districts, the information gathered will give clear indication on the understanding of tourism and how involved the communities are and need to be in the development of tourism.

Next, participation of the various communities in tourism development by seeking partnership opportunities with the established tourism private sector, and perform the four management functions namely, planning, organizing, leading and controlling in their respective communities. The residents of St. Maarten must be included in key project planning and decision-making activities through the organization of public meetings of local residents, the utilization of our local press as a communication tool and surveys of different businesses and be empowered to decide what forms of tourism they want to develop in their communities, and how the tourism costs and benefits are to be shared among different stakeholders.

30/07/2024

https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/researcher-consultant-conducting-election-poll-via-herald-s-website?fbclid=IwY2xjawEVxfxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHaWxTQtzlJoNWAKJ_HPWUJnuKsLLUrbXf1e9JoUv3MwtRnxYTyXRAHI1Cw_aem_JXrQR39UhVTUEYQxiapErw

Click on the QR Code to take part in the survey.

Eugène Hoogstad ~ And other channels starting today ~ PHILIPSBURG--Independent researcher and consultant Eugène Hoogstad will be conducting an...

30/07/2024

Bridging the Gap between our Communities and Tourism, serie 4 of 5

Career in tourism

Tourism presents a wealth of opportunities for the citizens of St. Maarten to enhance their quality of life by pursuing careers in this dynamic sector. With eight key components—accommodations, transportation, attractions, activities, food and beverage, travel and trade, events and conferences, and travel support services—the tourism industry offers a diverse range of career paths.
By choosing to work in tourism, residents can experience professional growth and development, gaining valuable skills and expertise. This not only contributes to their personal success but also boosts the local economy and enriches the overall visitor experience. Embracing careers in tourism allows St. Maarten's citizens to play a crucial role in shaping a vibrant and sustainable future for the island.

Tourism, local history, heritage and culture are subjects that need to become compulsory in primary education, secondary, all the way up to adult educational programs. A hospitality and tourism institute is a must. The curricula of tourism and hospitality educational programs should include our community, aiming to help them become more involved in tourism development as both entrepreneurs and employees, and have the right to live in a high quality and safe environment.

28/07/2024

Bridging the Gap between our Communities and Tourism Serie 3 of 5

Stakeholders' involvement

Involving St. Maarten's stakeholders in the decision-making process for the further development of our tourism is essential for creating sustainable and inclusive growth. Public Private partnership has many benefits especially for our long-term focus for tourism and our economy. To achieve this, a multi-faceted approach can be adopted. First, establishing for example a Tourism Advisory Council consisting of representatives from local NGOs, community leaders, and tourism stakeholders will ensure diverse voices are heard. Regular town hall meetings and public forums should be organized to gather input and fostering a sense of ownership and transparency. Collaborative workshops and focus groups can be conducted to identify community needs, infrastructure, environmental concerns, and cultural preservation priorities. Leveraging social media and digital platforms will also enable broader participation and real-time interaction. St. Maarten can ensure that its tourism development is guided by the values and aspirations of its community, leading to more resilient and harmonious growth.

Let’s work on this together St. Maarten!

27/07/2024

Bridging the Gap Between our Communities and Tourism serie 2 of 5

Empowering Micro and Small Businesses

The engagement of micro and small businesses in our tourism sector empowers our entrepreneurs by creating new business opportunities, enable our people to pursue new business ideas, generate added revenue, and creating jobs.

Our local enterprises are the backbone of St. Maarten, and their inclusion in the tourism industry can create many opportunities for local citizens. By integrating local businesses into our tourism value chain, we can ensure that the economic benefits of tourism are felt more broadly in St. Maarten.

By supporting and promoting local businesses, we can create a more vibrant and resilient tourism sector. This approach not only provides economic opportunities for our local entrepreneurs but also enhances the overall tourism experience by offering visitors a unique taste of the local culture and products of St. Maarten.

Lets continue building our tourism