POND ISLAND:--- Acting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Cornelius de Weever, on Monday, attended a presentation that was organized by Ministry TEATT to inform market vendors about plans for market place.
“It is very important to communicate, inform and involve the market vendors in the process in order to have a win win for all involved.
“Market places are an attraction wherever you travel. They offer food, drinks, souvenirs, art, music and much more to ensure a cultural experience to visitors and residents. We have a great opportunity to improve our market place and enhance the visitor experience by improving our product.
“We want to see and have an efficient, effective, viable and sustainable market place for stakeholders, and this is our aim with these transparent consultations with the vendors,” Acting Minister of TEATT Cornelius de Weever said on Wednesday.
32 market vendors attended the presentation where they were informed that Ministry TEATT is working on a solution for the market place challenges they face including replacement of market stalls.
The vendors were presented with the latest conceptual drawing for the market place; and a discussion took place with the vendors about the draft plans presented.
The key issues for the vendors was to discuss the actual building plans, and the three main concerns brought forward by the stakeholders were security challenges, storage/storage possibilities in the new structure, and ‘open’ (table only, no walls) concept which was not accepted.
The vendors presented the following recommendations: Storage or storing space should be allotted on location or in specified or personnel stalls; Market vendors should be included in discussions with architect; Symbols of national pride or monuments should be included in the final design.
At the end of the meeting, it was decided that market vendors will nominate two representatives to represent them in discussions with Ministry TEATT and the architect.
Secondly, Inspectorate TEATT will be in contact with market vendor representatives to invite them to a follow-up meeting with the architect.
The presentation took place in the conference room at the Inspectorate TEATT.
http://www.smn-news.com/st-maarten-st-martin-news/28498-minister-of-tourism-de-weever-pleased-with-market-vendor-consultations-for-a-new-viable-and-sustainable-market-place.html
