It’s one of the great undiscovered destinations of the Caribbean: St Eustatius, the tiny island a short plane ride from St Maarten teeming with history, hiking and eco-tourism.

Now Statia, which has been working to position itself more prominently within the region’s tourism landscape, has new leadership: Maya Pandt, who has been named the new director of the St Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation. 

The tourism veteran first joined the STDF as product development manager back in 2009, and has risen to lead the island’s new travel push, particularly in the eco-tourism space.

She is perhaps best known in Caribbean tourism circles for her work organizing the island’s popular sustainability conferences over the years. 

“Her appointment as Director is expected to further bolster the foundation’s efforts to promote St. Eustatius as a prime eco-tourism destination, capitalizing on its unique natural beauty and rich cultural heritage,” the STDF said in a statement. 

If you haven’t been to Statia, you’re missing out on a pristine, uncrowded island that’s most famous for its Quill dormant volcano, an outstanding hiking spot. 

In recent years, Statia has also been in the news for its connection to US founding father Alexander Hamilton, after it was revealed that the first US Treasury Secretary also spent a number of his formative years on the island. 

Are you planning a visit? We love this historic, charming Old Gin House, with rooms at just $184 per night.