News & Media

SXM Airport Gives Major Support to SCDF for Carnival 2015

SIMPSON BAY, St. Maarten (Friday, December 5, 2014)— The Princess Juliana International Airport, SXM, has once again thrown its weight behind the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) as a major corporate sponsor of Carnival 2015.

At a brief ceremony last week, Regina LaBega, SXM managing director presented a check of US$35,000 to Michael Granger, SCDF president to help with preparations for Carnival 2015.

“Our support of Carnival is not only an investment in preserving St. Maarten’s culture, but also in boosting the island’s economy,” LaBega said in handing over the check.

“We hope that our contribution will also provide you much needed marketing dollars to promote St. Maarten carnival regionally and internationally, thus increasing visitor arrivals during that period as well,” she added.

Praising SXM Airport for its early contribution, Granger said: “We are grateful that SXM Airport believes in the island’s premier’s cultural activity and continues to fulfill its role to community and culture in such significant ways.”

According to Granger, “the early contribution from SXM Airport allows the foundation to build on the successes of the past couple of years.”

The SCDF president revealed that hotel occupancy in Philipsburg alone for Carnival 2014 was 91 percent, while in 2013 it was 89 percent. Arrivals from the Caribbean for April 2014 increased by 44 percent over 2013, he further disclosed. Granger, however, added that there is some room for developing the North American market “since corresponding research with hotel focus groups indicate that many travelers from North America are not aware that Carnival is taking place when they arrive on the island.”

“This is where partners such as SXM Airport, who understand the vital aspects of early preparation, play such a crucial role,” Granger said.