San Pedro, Belize. As part of the 17th Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism Development (STC 2026), the island of Saint Martin reaffirmed its strategy to transition toward a boutique and sustainable tourism model, with a delegation led by Tourism Commissioner Valérie Damaseau, who spoke with ABC Mundial during the event.

The conference, organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Belize Tourism Board, brings together regional leaders under the theme “Tourism in Full Color,” focusing on sustainability, inclusion, and community-based development.

 

 

Speaking to ABC Mundial, Damaseau explained the island’s structural shift:

“Saint Martin has decided for some time now that we are not focused on mass tourism, but on a more boutique tourism model.”

She emphasized that the strategy does not involve new hotel construction on untouched land, but rather the reuse of existing infrastructure.

“We are not constructing new hotels on new properties. What we are doing is finding investors so that we can use the same water and electricity systems, so we do not create more hazards on the island.”

 

Controlled growth and territorial sustainability

 

Damaseau explained that the goal is to avoid uncontrolled expansion of hotel capacity:

“This is the first phase: we do not want to reach 20,000 rooms. 3,500 rooms represents a responsible decision to ensure our people can find housing.”

Currently, Saint Martin has around 2,000 rooms, with a target of reaching 3,500 in the coming years.

“Today we are at around 2,000 rooms. From 2,000 to 3,500. This is about a tourism product focused on quality rather than quantity.”

 

Recovery after climate disasters

 

She also recalled the impact of extreme weather events on the island’s tourism infrastructure:

“In 1995, with Hurricane Luis, we lost hotel rooms. In 2017, with Hurricane Irma, we suffered damage again.”

As a result, the strategy focuses on rehabilitation rather than new construction:

“The buildings are still there. The goal is to renovate and remodel existing structures instead of building new ones.”

 

Culture and community at the center

 

Damaseau emphasized that sustainability in Saint Martin places local communities and culture at the center of tourism development:

“We are being much more responsible, and in terms of sustainability, we are putting culture at the heart of it. Our people are at the heart of our tourism product.”

 

A gradual five-year transition

 

She concluded that the transformation will be gradual and inclusive:

“I hope that in three to five years we reach this goal, because it is a slow process, and it includes boutique hotels, Airbnb, guest houses and villas, all integrated into one model.”