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Story - Saba Government Information Services
The Bottom, Saba: April 20, 2005
Director of Tourism Mr. Glenn Holm on
Tuesday morning released the figures for the first three months of 2005.
A happy Mr. Holm told the SGIS that the month of March has been the best
month in several years in tourist arrivals.
Mr. Holm said that the month of March 2005 has seen an increase of 639
arrivals if compared to lasts year in March. A total of 3006 tourist visited
the island in March of 2005 and last year it was 2376. Mr. Holm went on to
state that this increase was primarily due to the many calls that the small
cruisehip Sea Dream 11 made to the island and he also said that the spin off
from the Heineken Regatta on St. Maarten has also helped to increase the
arrivals and especially by sea.
So far for the year the island has received a total of 7358 passengers by
air and sea. Some 4363 arrived by sea and 2995 has arrived by air.
Based on the statistics of the Tourism Department there has been a good
increase of tourist coming from the European markets. The American visitors
continue to play a role in our tourism arrivals. What is remarkable is the
amount of Dutch tourist that has been visiting the island in the first three
months of the year. The American market however remains the largest arrivals
to the island. The tourism figures looks promising for the year and Director
of Tourism Mr. Glenn Holm said that he is very much impressed with the
amount of tourist that has been visiting the island and he is looking
forward to having a good tourism year.
We have also seen an increase in yacht visiting the island and we have to
continue promoting that and also securing some more anchorage space
especially in the Wells Bay and Ladder Bay area. More bouys may need to be
placed in those areas in order to attract more yachts to the island.
We are doing our utmost best to try and market the island to the best of our
ability with the limited funds that we have. With the formation of the
Tourism foundation we are looking forward in being able to step up our
advertising and attendance at trade shows. Saba is well known in the dive
industry and we have to continue doing our best to keep the name of the
island on a good footing.
We are making plans to soon have our brochures etc. upgraded and our website
will soon also undergo some changes.
Mr. Holm went on to state that the cooperation from all in the tourism
business is very important for the sustainability of tourism to the island.
Together we have to continue promoting our little island.
Back to tourism news page.
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