GREAT BAY--The St. Maarten Tourism Bureau and Saint Martin Tourism Office joined forces in Dominica to promote the island as a single Caribbean destination offering two cultural experiences, using culinary demonstrations, food tastings and cultural activities to attract regional visitors during Dominica's World Creole Music Festival.
The joint destination promotion brought together representatives from both sides of the island to showcase St. Maarten and St. Martin's culinary offerings, cultural diversity and tourism experiences to festivalgoers from across the Caribbean and other international markets.
The promotional activities were coordinated by Jacqueline Louis, Caribbean Agent for the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, with participation from a delegation representing the island's tourism sector.
The initiative featured two dedicated areas for rum and food tastings, along with interactive destination displays highlighting the experiences available on both sides of the island.
A central attraction was a series of live cooking demonstrations by Chef Foini, assisted by Sous Chef Sara, and hosted by the Saint Martin Tourism Office. The demonstrations introduced visitors to the island's culinary traditions and showcased its position as a Caribbean destination known for its diverse food offerings.
Festivalgoers attending the event's VIP and VVIP areas participated in the tasting activities and received information about visiting St. Maarten and St. Martin.
The promotion also highlighted the Festival de la Gastronomie, scheduled for November 11 to 22, 2026, on the French side of the island, encouraging visitors to explore the destination's culinary experiences.
Commissioner of Tourism and Culture for Saint Martin, Valerie Damaseau, said the initiative provided an opportunity to connect with visitors through the island's shared cultural and culinary identity.
“Through warm conversations, shared flavours and engaging experiences, we connected with festivalgoers from across the Caribbean and the world who cherish exceptional cuisine, cultural discovery and memorable escapes, whether it be with family, friends or for business trade. Each encounter was a heartfelt invitation to savour our flavours, embrace our people and discover the experiences that make visitors feel welcome and inspire them to return,” Damaseau said.
Louis, who also serves as CEO of IMBRACE Group, emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two tourism offices in promoting the island internationally.
“Bringing the French and Dutch sides together allows us to share the beauty and richness of our island through our complementary strengths and shared passion for welcoming visitors. Food creates a wonderful connection; it sparks conversations, brings people closer and opens the door to discovering our culture and the many experiences that make Saint Martin and Sint Maarten so memorable,” Louis said.
St. Maarten's national carier WINAIR supported the promotional initiative, highlighting the role of air connectivity in encouraging travel between St. Maarten and neighboring Caribbean destinations.
The airline's involvement complemented the tourism offices' efforts to convert destination awareness into actual visits, particularly among regional travelers who can access the island through existing flight connections.
The activities extended beyond the culinary displays and included an onstage performance by DJ Outkast. The delegation also met with Marva Williams, CEO of the Discover Dominica Authority, as part of efforts to strengthen regional tourism relationships.
According to the participating tourism offices, maintaining a presence at major Caribbean events remains an important part of destination marketing, providing opportunities to engage directly with potential visitors and promote travel between neighboring islands.
The collaboration also demonstrated the benefits of coordinated destination marketing between the French and Dutch sides, which share an island but operate under separate tourism administrations.
Through the joint promotion, both offices sought to reinforce the message that St. Maarten and St. Martin offer visitors a combination of cultural, culinary, entertainment and hospitality experiences within a single destination.
The initiative forms part of continued efforts to strengthen regional tourism connections and encourage Caribbean travelers to consider the island for leisure travel, family visits and business opportunities.
