St Maarten has a new Minister of Tourism, following the swearing-in of new Minister Roger Lawrence. 

Lawrence’s portfolio also includes Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunications. 

“We need to create stable instruments of cooperation to develop and promote our tourism sector,” said Lawrence, who was speaking this week during a visit to the new Morgan resort in Simpson Bay. “The engagement with other sectors like Agri-tourism will stimulate creative environments, build synergies, and develop opportunities and collaborations to enhance our overall tourism product.”

Lawrence had most recently served as the Interim Chief Executive Officer of Port St Maarten before his appointment. (That was before the recent appointment of Alexander Gumbs as the port’s new chief executive).

He succeeds former Tourism Minister Ludmila De Weever, who resigned in order to serve as a member of Parliament. 

“If we want to innovate, joint collaborations within sectors need to take place, and government can contribute,” Lawrence said. “Entrepreneurs both local and abroad must be facilitated in the process of starting their business. In most countries, a business license can be obtained within days. It is one of my highest priorities at team TEATT, to fast-track this process.”

— CJ