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Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: CmVan10] #106708
09/03/2016 02:18 PM
09/03/2016 02:18 PM
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Posts: 82,469
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
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Sorry, my perception is that any SXM leaders who are promoting this would be doing it for their own personal gain, not for the good of the island.


Carol Hill
SXM Sponsors
Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: CmVan10] #106709
09/03/2016 03:50 PM
09/03/2016 03:50 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,370
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Tom Offline
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I can agree that the only reason the government of SXM would want a project of this size has got to be personal gain for the individuals that support it. Their pitch is that this will boost the sagging tourism industry. But, at what cost? For starters, that area has been a nature sanctuary for some time. The Barbaron deal may have been able to preserve it but a facility of this size would require that entire area to be filled in (so much for the environment).
Secondly, as already stated the traffic nightmare would be beyond chaotic.
I for one, after going to SXM every year for 30 years and calling the Belair my home away from home for the last 25 of those years, would need to find another island.

Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: Tom] #106710
09/03/2016 04:01 PM
09/03/2016 04:01 PM
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Posts: 228
Towson, Maryland
pault21093 Offline
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My thoughts keep coming back to one thing. Why would they come?

If I'm Chinese, I live half way around the world. There are countless more spectacular places (sorry buts it's true) than SXM. PHuket Thailand, the whole South Pacific. Bora bora, Fiji, etc. Maldives , Seychelles , Hawaii....
Who in their right mind would spend 20+ hours flying to SXM when these kind of places can be reached easier and cheaper. Makes no sense to me.

Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: Carol_Hill] #106711
09/03/2016 04:19 PM
09/03/2016 04:19 PM
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Posts: 4,220
self-quarantine
Rasputin Offline
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Nuts.


Rah Rah Rasputin
They put some poison into his wine
He drank it all and said "I feel fine"
Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: Tom] #106712
09/03/2016 06:10 PM
09/03/2016 06:10 PM
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Posts: 490
MILford,CT.
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bonsie Offline
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If this really happens, all I can say is "Good Bye St. Maarten" and then my string of 21 trips will be over.

Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: pault21093] #106713
09/03/2016 06:39 PM
09/03/2016 06:39 PM
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Posts: 789
Toronto Canada
moxie Offline
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That's a good point as far as the Chinese tourist go but the Chinese government has something bigger going on I think and it's not good for SXM or us.

Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: bonsie] #106714
09/03/2016 06:48 PM
09/03/2016 06:48 PM
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Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
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I think you are correct, that if this happens, in those kinds of numbers, there are a lot of people who would say goodbye to SXM..


Carol Hill
Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: moxie] #106715
09/03/2016 07:06 PM
09/03/2016 07:06 PM
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Posts: 4,220
self-quarantine
Rasputin Offline
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Quote
moxie said:
......... but the Chinese government has something bigger going on I think and it's not good for SXM or us.


You've got that right, but not just in SXM but elsewhere in the Caribbean, South America (Brazil, Venezuela and even Mexico), and in Africa. IMHO, if that's possible <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />


Rah Rah Rasputin
They put some poison into his wine
He drank it all and said "I feel fine"
Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: Carol_Hill] #106716
09/03/2016 07:34 PM
09/03/2016 07:34 PM
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NH
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DrDoug Offline
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Carol, Tom and others,

Here's a link to the proposal made by Barbaron.

http://www.barbaronsxm.com/project_presentation.pdf

Almost seems reasonable compared to new deal. There is a familiar name that was a possible player in the deal.

Sadly I fear that the lagoon and nature area will be a thing of the past eventually.

Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: DrDoug] #106717
09/03/2016 07:51 PM
09/03/2016 07:51 PM
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Posts: 82,469
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
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That's pretty funny, another failed deal!


Carol Hill
Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: jmbcomms] #106718
09/04/2016 12:16 AM
09/04/2016 12:16 AM
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Posts: 635
Palm Beach County
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I'm willing to bet you don't have to worry about all those tourists. China is due for a huge and spectacular real estate bubble burst, and these investments are just a way to delay that. Those rooms will largely go unoccupied. If the local government does the right thing and applies some of the investment in infrastructure it might almost be worth the big empty building which is going to result...

Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: jenniboston] #106719
09/04/2016 02:17 PM
09/04/2016 02:17 PM
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Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
RonDon Online content
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Well, I'd hate to leave SXM so that means I'll stay on the French side until they do something stupid like this.

Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: RonDon] #106720
09/04/2016 08:48 PM
09/04/2016 08:48 PM
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Quote
RonDon said:
Well, I'd hate to leave SXM so that means I'll stay on the French side until they do something stupid like this.


The French Side? That's where they'll be hiding the troop ships to carry the million "tourists", along with their compatriots from Aruba, the Bahamas, Cuba, etc., when they invade the US. (This is an attempt at humor, admittedly a poor one, but still an attempt at humor.)

Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: RonDon] #106721
09/04/2016 11:16 PM
09/04/2016 11:16 PM
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Posts: 4,673
Newtown, CT
kim Offline
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Quote
RonDon said:
Well, I'd hate to leave SXM so that means I'll stay on the French side until they do something stupid like this.


Aren't they building the harbor larger on the French side for cruise ships. It's one island. Neither side is immune to this

Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: kim] #106722
09/05/2016 07:42 AM
09/05/2016 07:42 AM
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Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
RonDon Online content
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The French side already has a cruise ship dock that they plan to dredge so bigger ships can come in. Cruiser don't bother me but more high-risers do. The French side has a law against high buildings.

Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: RonDon] #106723
09/05/2016 07:54 AM
09/05/2016 07:54 AM
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Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
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PS
the dock is down Rue de Galisbay. Keeping water at your left, go beyond where you get the ferry to Anguilla , Mall on right, follow road toward Grand Case rotary. It's a left turn to Port de Galisbay.

Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: RonDon] #106724
09/05/2016 07:56 AM
09/05/2016 07:56 AM
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Wonder whether this will negatively impact Club Orient, as China frowns upon public nudity. In 2014, there was a crack down on the one nudist beach area in China, Dadonghai Beach, at the resort city of Sanya on Hainan Island. http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1425148/hainan-coverup-sanya-cracks-down-nude-sunbathers

Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: DavidinChelseaMA] #106725
09/05/2016 08:15 AM
09/05/2016 08:15 AM
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Posts: 82,469
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
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Uhmn, no, irrelevant.


Carol Hill
Do the Math... [Re: Carol_Hill] #106726
09/05/2016 08:25 AM
09/05/2016 08:25 AM
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Carol_Hill Offline OP
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Daily Herald editorial What we said from the beginning--the numbers don't make sense.


Carol Hill
Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: Carol_Hill] #106727
09/05/2016 08:26 AM
09/05/2016 08:26 AM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884
St. Thomas, USVI
Nutmeg Offline
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Carol: It seems that everyone in the Caribbean is going to China, hat in hand, looking for hand-outs. Our dear governor is one of them: Mapp signs million dollar hotel bill. I guess you go where the money is...


[color:"red"]NUTMEG[/color]
Today is the tomorrow you talked about yesterday.
Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: Nutmeg] #106728
09/05/2016 08:34 AM
09/05/2016 08:34 AM
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Carol_Hill Offline OP
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Wow, and I thought the SXM government was messed up. $1m for what?


Carol Hill
Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: Carol_Hill] #106729
09/05/2016 08:58 AM
09/05/2016 08:58 AM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,884
St. Thomas, USVI
Nutmeg Offline
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Who knows? We can't pay our bills and are in debt to the hilt.


[color:"red"]NUTMEG[/color]
Today is the tomorrow you talked about yesterday.
Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: DavidinChelseaMA] #106730
09/05/2016 11:01 AM
09/05/2016 11:01 AM
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Rhode Island
RonDon Online content
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Quote
DavidinChelseaMA said:
Wonder whether this will negatively impact Club Orient, as China frowns upon public nudity. In 2014, there was a crack down on the one nudist beach area in China, Dadonghai Beach, at the resort city of Sanya on Hainan Island. http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1425148/hainan-coverup-sanya-cracks-down-nude-sunbathers


That's the answer. When the delegation comes to visit we all go nude on Belair Beach!

Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: RonDon] #106731
09/05/2016 09:28 PM
09/05/2016 09:28 PM
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Posts: 397
Boston, Ma
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lobstaroll123 Offline
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French side is SXM and IMHO opinion, more like the Caribbean and less like NYC with palm tress. Just my opinion. I expect lots of nasty responses, but SXM includes the FRENCH side. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: lobstaroll123] #106732
09/05/2016 09:32 PM
09/05/2016 09:32 PM
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Posts: 18,564
Auburn, WA
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Actually SXM is the airport identification on the Dutch side. Just saying.

Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: RonDon] #106733
09/05/2016 09:53 PM
09/05/2016 09:53 PM
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NakedAsAJaybird Offline
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I can't see how the Chinese could do anything about nudity on the French side. The plan for the Chinese high rise is on the Dutch side. I doubt the French Govt would care what the Chinese think about nudity.

Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: SXMScubaman] #106734
09/05/2016 09:56 PM
09/05/2016 09:56 PM
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foreversxm Offline
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I hope its not another 1 million tourist! That's odd to read because the last time we went to SXM in March we saw a van load of Asian men walking along Simpson Bay Beach looking around with what looked a like a group of local business men also dressed nicely. Wonder what else they are up to?

Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: foreversxm] #106735
09/05/2016 11:25 PM
09/05/2016 11:25 PM
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Posts: 1,225
Middle Tennessee
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TravelHat Offline
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Doctor No, know doubt. Look out for that dragon rolling thought the salt flats at night.

Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: NakedAsAJaybird] #106736
09/06/2016 10:01 AM
09/06/2016 10:01 AM
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EWortman Offline
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<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />there is a pic on Trip advisor for the Belair that shows the shelf the Barbaron cut into the mountain...I cant see that type of place being put there.

Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: lobstaroll123] #106737
09/06/2016 10:11 AM
09/06/2016 10:11 AM
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JulieandKarl Offline
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Quote
lobstaroll123 said:
French side is SXM and IMHO opinion, more like the Caribbean and less like NYC with palm tress. Just my opinion. I expect lots of nasty responses, but SXM includes the FRENCH side. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />


My opinion as well

Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: foreversxm] #106738
09/06/2016 12:41 PM
09/06/2016 12:41 PM
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Posts: 10,213
GJ, CO S/V Long Overdue
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Quote
foreversxm said:
I hope its not another 1 million tourist! That's odd to read because the last time we went to SXM in March we saw a van load of Asian men walking along Simpson Bay Beach looking around with what looked a like a group of local business men also dressed nicely. Wonder what else they are up to?


what the hell does this mean?

Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: NakedAsAJaybird] #106739
09/06/2016 07:32 PM
09/06/2016 07:32 PM
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thewaterfront Offline
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so if I were a Chinese worker at Apple and wanted to vacation in Saint Marten for the one week that I am entitled to. I could fly halve way around the world and rack up mega airline mileage by doing so.
SXM is three times the distance from Hawaii, just a thought.

Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: thewaterfront] #106740
09/06/2016 07:50 PM
09/06/2016 07:50 PM
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Posts: 18,564
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
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Been to Hawaii. In no way does it compare to St Maarten. I live in Washington State. Hawaii is much closer than St Maarten and that is where I go for my yearly tropical vacation.

Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: thewaterfront] #106741
09/06/2016 08:22 PM
09/06/2016 08:22 PM
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Massachusetts
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I'm sure those Apple workers in China are making the big bucks and can afford the flight <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

Re: One million Chinese tourists per year? [Re: boucharda] #106742
09/06/2016 11:42 PM
09/06/2016 11:42 PM
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Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
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Cost is probably not the factor. Time in the air more so.

Now they say it's over TEN YEARS... [Re: Carol_Hill] #106743
09/08/2016 09:57 AM
09/08/2016 09:57 AM
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Carol_Hill Offline OP
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A story which doesn't appear to be in the online version now says that the number of one million visitors is spread over TEN years, and includes people flying into SXM and connecting to other islands. Took them long enough to admit the original story was bogus...

Daily Herald story I thought this thing was already approved by government? There is some review, which is supposed to be concluded by the end of this month?? Why would they have a scheduled ground breaking on the 17th of this month, if there are government reviews still pending? Interesting, the reference to a 'Westin, on a larger scale'. We all know what a huge environmental and otherwise success the Westin has been, destroying public access to Dawn Beach! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Environmental concerns

Last edited by Carol_Hill; 09/08/2016 10:07 AM.

Carol Hill
Re: Now they say it's over TEN YEARS... [Re: Carol_Hill] #106744
09/08/2016 12:09 PM
09/08/2016 12:09 PM
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Burlington, Ontario, Canada
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JohnandBev Offline
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Interesting the comment about setting up a China Caribbean hub. I get the airport / cruise ship connection, but China investment in the Caribbean has been ongoing for several yrs, some islands getting gifts ie Dominica, other loans and investment ie Trinidad, Cuba a road!.

In many cases the concept of creating a China Caribbean hub was mentioned - just how many hubs do the Chinese need?

Almost every island has been looked at with investment ongoing at several. What's interesting is how long it took for St Maarten to come into the picture.

I can;t help but be reminded about the Chinese Olmpic bid for 2000 which failed. Immediately the Chinese went thru Africa creating many projects in many countires, stadiums, help with infrastructure, favourable loans, outsourcing to local business's who had ties to those who signed on behalf of the local country.
Amazingly, all those countries voted for the next Chinese Olympic bid which culminated in the 2008 games.

That is not the case now, but how come almost every caribbean country is getting interest from the Chinese?

J&B

Last edited by JohnandBev; 09/08/2016 12:10 PM.
On line petition started against project [Re: Carol_Hill] #106745
09/13/2016 08:13 AM
09/13/2016 08:13 AM
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Carol_Hill Offline OP
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Carol Hill
Re: On line petition started against project [Re: Carol_Hill] #106746
09/13/2016 08:36 AM
09/13/2016 08:36 AM
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Rhode Island
RonDon Online content
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Too bad tourists couldn't sign this petition then govt. might realize what might be lost as compared to gain by this project.

Re: On line petition started against project [Re: RonDon] #106747
09/13/2016 08:58 AM
09/13/2016 08:58 AM
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Ohio
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Quote
RonDon said:
Too bad tourists couldn't sign this petition then govt. might realize what might be lost as compared to gain by this project.


Don't you think if the SXM government really cared about tourists there would be some action on timeshare legislation? Perhaps also more action against crime?


J.D.
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