https://www.imf.org/en/News/Article...d-concludes-2021-article-iv-consultation

Quite a shock to the economy

That report certainly paints a dismal picture with little short-term optimism in sight.

The island looked very hopeful and busy in July.

Thanks for posting link to this report. Table 2 of that report shows how bad things have been for Sint Maarten since Irma. When you consider that the contraction in 2020 was from the level of 2019 (which had some growth after contractions in 2017 and 2018), you realize the severity of the economic situation.

Like my long-time taxi driver friend indicated, this is unlike any hurricane as it impacted the entire world and it is not a matter of just rebuilding structures. This is a much more severe and longer lasting impact than any natural disaster.

JD--that is so true. And coming on top of Irma? I don't know what the failure rate of small businesses is in SXM, but it has to be astronomically high.

All one has to do is look at all the closed storefronts on Front Street. Something like 60% vacancy from what I recall? This was not a blip on the radar, this was/is a life-changing event for many on the island. Much more the rebuild and repair as this has had financial implications across the world.

Maybe, just maybe when COVID finally comes to an end and cruise ships begin to return in realistic numbers things will begin to improve. Ports-of-call with an overnight stay in SXM would be helpful, and we actually did that once with Celebrity years ago. Here's hoping.