St. Maarten hopes to drive business with new auction site

In a move designed to drive tourism to the island, the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA) has developed and launched an auction site (http://www.stmaartenauction.com) featuring discounted hotels stays (one per month). The site went live Feb. 17 and features participating hotels that have reduced rates starting at $200 per stay. Other offers include dinners for two, shopping trips and island activities at a discounted price. February’s featured auction is a six-night stay at Wyndham Sapphire Beach Resort starting at $400 per stay, based on double occupancy, plus a trip to Saba for two courtesy of Aqua Mania Adventures starting at $50 and a $50 dinner voucher for Soprano’s restaurant starting at $10. Visitors can also enter to win a $200 island spending credit for their next vacation to St. Maarten by “liking”the St. Maarten Auction Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/stmaartenauction .