TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin COVID Insurance Still Under Consideration

At least it sounds like they are considering accepting existing insurance through other providers. However, based on discussions surrounding medevac in other threads, I can see there being a lot of confusion about what plans will actually qualify.

The quote about what responsibility is motivating all of this is interesting. I was expecting the quote to say something about public health and safety. Turns out it's all about reputation and PR. I assumed that was always a factor, but I was surprised to just see it stated so directly.

I would imagine another way to get some $$ is a factor as well.

dvesc--Yeah, that's something. They are not interested in protecting the visitor, only protecting themselves and their reputation. In addition, I would love to know whether any of the Ministers have any financial state in any of the insurance companies on island. Frankly, I still don't trust any insurance procured on island, but $30, regardless of length of stay, is a lot more palatable than $70 per week. And regardless, I will still get my OWN coverage for medical evac, if I can.

Here’s an idea sxm government, how about something to encourage people to come to the island and spend money. I realize this is an issue but why not increase the turnover tax or hotel tax temporarily or something that doesn’t make the tourist jump through another hurdle or stress about?? It’s not even a problem yet why not deal with it after the fact if it really develops to be something that costs the island money instead of discouraging tourism? I feel bad for all of those car rental companies and hotels that wake up every morning to read their government is putting more roadblocks into feeding their families and employees families. You can only bite the hand that feed you so long before they never come back. SXM has a lot to offer and needs some smart marketing to get tourism going. Then they will have plenty of money Gotten ridiculous all the money grabs.

forever--I'm not sure I understand your point. Raising turnover tax, which legally is NOT supposed to be passed on to the consumer, but borne by the business, would be an additional burden on businesses that are in many cases, barely hanging on by a thread. How is that supposed to encourage people to come to the island and spend money?

Point is whatever it takes to stop the roadblocks and complications and get tourist to come they need to do now and stop giving tourists one MORE thing to do to get to SXM. This so called cost the island MIGHT have to cover is not even a problem yet. Everyday they delay is another day tourist are booking other places that make it easier to go on vacations. Glad to see Spadaro speak up and call out the government on its lack of urgency and start "exploit opportunities" to attract tourist. LOTS of tourist dollars are a risk and going other places fast. Now all SXM is doing is sending them away to more tourist friendly places. SXM is very special to many and the diehard SXM tourist like me will do anything to get there. But others will cancel for other locations for something as minor as a change in airline schedules.

Taking more tax $$ (FROM tourists) is not really something that will appeal to the masses, at least not IMHO. People get worked up over the TOT as it is.

Totally agree but as Carol said the TOT should not and is not even a tourist tax or problem even though some businesses like to try to pass it through to them. I am not sure what the current hotel or timeshare tax (6%??) is but last I saw it was a lot less than many other tourist spots which tax the heck out you. But the expenses and hassle of getting tested then also paying for insurance is not appealing either. They need to do whatever they can to Keep it simple!

Honestly, I just don't see any answer of punishing the businesses that survive. For what purpose??? I don't get it. TOT goes NOWHERE. It goes into the black hole of SXM finances. There is no such thing as dedicated money for anything in SXM.

Government tax is 5% on lodging and the timeshare tax is a flat $50 per week per unit, unless it has changed.

There are some places on the island that DO add a 15% or so "tax", along with a service charge, utility surcharge and resort fee. One has to know the actual tax structure or they can easily be taken.

I am with you on the (possible) mandatory insurance and the hassle of getting tested. Too many hoops to jump through.

Big challenge and we will have to await your elections results to see how people will react in America . Thank God we lost our papers way back and never worried about it . Our two children are in Toronto and I'm 62 lol. St.Maarten is our home. Our children has become tourist lol , just come for the beach and good restaurants lol. Life. But I do have two brothers and two Sisters in the US.

Our election results have nothing to do with SXM requiring additional insurance, or the supposed "taxes" added to various items on your island.

What does our election results have to do with what SXM does? You're grasping for straws.

Just for comparison St. Thomas has a $25 PER DAY Environmental/infrastructure fee for timeshares and 12.5% tax on other accommodations

...and correct, USA elections are not the reason or excuse for decisions made or not made in SXM

And NONE of this has anything to do with whether SXM requires Covid insurance or not.