The Saint-Martin Tourist Office took part in GTM West 2026 from August 4 to 6, one of the most important trade events for the U.S. West Coast travel industry, held in Palm Springs, California. The gathering brought together travel agents and tour operators from across the region, cementing its role as a key opportunity for international destinations to strengthen commercial ties and expand their reach in the market.

Over the three-day event, the Discover Saint-Martin team carried out an active schedule that included four official destination presentations aimed at travel agencies, sharing the island's latest news and updates with both new industry professionals and travel advisors who already sell the destination. The team also held 48 one-on-one appointments with travel advisors, a format that allowed for direct, personalized engagement with key players in the industry.

According to the Tourist Office, this year's edition of GTM West once again confirmed the event's continued growth, offering a strategic opportunity to strengthen relationships with U.S. partners, develop new business opportunities and continue expanding the destination's network on the West Coast.

A strategic market for the Caribbean island

Organizers emphasized that the United States, and the West Coast in particular, remains a priority market within Saint-Martin's international tourism promotion strategy. Participation in events like GTM West is part of a broader plan to increase the destination's visibility among American travel professionals and strengthen distribution channels through specialized travel agencies.

Saint-Martin, the Caribbean island shared between its French side and Dutch Sint Maarten, continues to focus on diversifying its source markets, with the United States standing out as one of its main draws for international visitors. The strategy of engaging directly with travel advisors, combined with formal destination presentations, aims to translate into increased bookings and the addition of new operators featuring the island within their Caribbean travel offerings.

With its participation in GTM West 2026, Saint-Martin reaffirms its commitment to maintaining an active, consistent presence at the leading U.S. travel trade forums, in line with its goal of continuing to position itself as one of the top Caribbean destinations for travelers on the West Coast of the United States.