Island Government of Saba

Subject: Granger to represent Saba on Winair Board

November 17, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

Recently, Ms. Urla Granger was appointed as a new member of the Winair Board to represent the Island Territory of Saba. Granger was born on Saba and went away to school starting at the age of 12. In her time abroad, she obtained a Bachelors and Masters in Accounting. Upon finishing school she worked in Accounting for 12 years in the United States. Granger was offered a position at GeBe in 2006 and has worked there since as Project and Inventory Control Supervisor.

Granger replaces the previous Saba Winair Board member, Mr. Theodore Johnson whom served on the Board for several years. After the Mr. Theodore Johnson resigned, the Executive Council was given the opportunity to recommend a replacement. The Executive Council made the recommendation for Ms. Granger based on her background on finance and accounting. A few weeks ago the Council of Ministers approved the Island Government of Saba’s recommendation to appoint Urla Granger.

“I look forward to having someone on the Board who can see from the outside in and to see what is working and not working within Winair”, stated Commissioner Chris Johnson.

Ms Granger stated to GIS, “Saba is home and when it comes to transportation we have one choice. It is important that we protect that and see it is not interrupted for locals and tourists. For me, this experience is coming full circle being that Winair allowed some of us to leave Saba to get our education, and now return. Given this experience I can assist with further opening up the world to this small island called Saba.”

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Photo caption: Urla Granger and Comm. Chris Johnson

General, Tourism

Subject: Saba to be part of advertising Pilot Program

November 3, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

Approximately twelve years ago at a Vacation Fair in Holland, Director of Tourism Glenn Holm had the opportunity to meet Mr. Cees Timmes of TVC advertising. Holm stated that he was familiar with Timmes work on both Curacao and St. Eustatius. Realizing the potential of TVC and Saba as a market, Mr. Holm stated that he’d like to have some promotional materials made up by TVC some day in the future.

This wish for promotional items materialized a couple years ago with some Dutch funding (quickwins) to produce a first image brochure as well as some banners and tradeshow materials. Recently, more funding has become available through the SEI and it was decided to continue the promotional possibilities previously laid down.

The finished projects are now a more detailed and informative brochure as well as island maps. An image bank has also become available to all tour operators, magazines, and promotional materials for Saba. This image bank can be found at www.saba-pictures.com

Today, Holm and Timmes had the opportunity to meet with the Executive Council and present the new materials. An idea was put forth for an advertising pilot program featuring souvenir items using the same general branding.  The proposal given to the Government was to include the new brochures and maps with the agreement that TVC will absorb the costs of the project. If the project is successful, then the private sector will be given the opportunity to invest in new and future promotional materials developed by TVC advertising. Overall, these promotional materials will be approved and controlled by the Saba Tourist Bureau.

Commissioner Zagers stated, “I am very impressed with the quality of these materials. Living here you sometimes take for granted the beauty of this island. Seeing the presented materials in these brochures makes you realize that we all live in a lush paradise. This is something that we as Saba people should remind ourselves of daily.”

Following the meeting with the Executive Council, Holm and Timmes will hold a meeting with the private sector to display the new items and pilot program proposal.

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Photo caption: Cees Timmes, Glenn Holm, Bruce Zagers, Jonathan Johnson

General, Tourism

Subject: Director of Tourism attends NAAM Meeting

June 16, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

Director of Tourism, Glenn Holm will be leaving for Curacao on Wednesday to attend a NAAM (National Archeological and Anthropological Memory Management) Board Meeting in Curacao. The trip is financed by NAAM organization. The main topic to be discussed within the meeting will be the cultural heritage management and legislation in the Netherlands Antilles as well as Aruba.

NAAM will be holding a seminar at the University of the Netherlands Antilles in Curacao in which Board members will be updated by cultural experts and stakeholders in the managements/conservation of the islands cultural heritage. The treaty of Malta is another topic to be discussed and how it affects the Antilles. Maritime management will also be a point of discussion. The seminar will attend to the important question in how the islands can synchronize their policies in regards to cultural heritage after the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles. Director Holm will return to the Island on Friday.

Mr. Glenn Holm stated that he is, “Looking forward to seeing and hearing what direction is being proposed and whether it will fit into the new status of the BES islands”.

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Photo caption: Glenn Holm

General, Tourism

Subject: USONA continues funding Tourism

June 16, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

As part of the SEI Program, Bart Pasman of USONA paid a working visit to the Island Government of Saba. This visit entailed the signing of a Dutch funded program for the “increase of the tourist bureau budget for the next two years”, in the amount of 100,000 FLS. Commissioner of Tourism, Mr. Chris Johnson attended the meeting and co-signed the agreement with Bart Pasman. “Island Government has made sure to pay special attention to the tourism market and in collaboration with the tourist bureau, these marketing materials will be used to promote Saba as a whole”, stated Commissioner Johnson

These funds will go towards the continuation of the marketing initiative which started with the quick-win project. Furthermore, the funds will also assist in the completion of promotional materials, enhancing the tourism website, and radio/television advertising on Sint Maarten. Director of Tourism Glenn Holm stated to GIS, “This is a continuation of our regional marketing initiative and we’re thrilled to have the continued support of USONA”.

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Photo caption: Bart Pasman, Glenn Holm, Chris Johnson

General, Tourism

Subject: SBA meets with Commissioner Johnson

May 19, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

Commissioner of Tourism, Chris Johnson, and Director of Tourism, Glenn Holm met with the Saba Tourism and Hotel Association. This was a follow-up meeting from the previous. During the previous meeting it was discussed that Saba should advertise more in Sint Maarten as a tourist destination. Because of this, Manager of the Edge, Debbie Lind was invited by the Saba Tourism and Hotel Association to discuss the role of sea transport to and from Saba.

One of the issues discussed with The Edge, was the creation of a survey to be given to every passenger on The Edge. There will also be increased advertising in Sint Maarten in regards to marketing the Island of Saba. Billboard signs advertising the island and all the carriers will be created. Charter flights bringing over workers from activity desks was discussed as well as syncing up activity days with hotel activities workers. The Tourist Bureau and Hotel Association will combine effort to execute these activities days as well as through Sint Maarten Radio advertisements.

Commissioner Chris Johnson informed the group that if a budget is presented to Government and that if the group can take over the execution, then Government will commit to the financing of these initiatives.

The group has also taken note and expressed concerns in recent increase in searching by immigration officers of sea vessels. These searches were in the form of a raid such as conducting searches in the open, leaving boxes wide open, and having physical pat downs of both staff and Tourists by local and Dutch Immigration along with Zero tolerance team. The Commissioner assured the Association that he will pass along the concerns and that he has also been subjected to the same procedure.

The combined efforts of the association, tourist bureau, and Commissioner reflect a proactive attitude by the stakeholders of Saba to take on the global economic crisis and re-advertise Saba as the Unspoiled Queen of the Caribbean.

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Photo caption: John meeting with the SBA

General, Tourism

Director of Tourism, Glenn Holm

April 17, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

This week Saba will be represented for the first time at the “Rediscover the Caribbean” tourism show held in Barbados.  This event has been held for six consecutive years, and this is the first time that participation has become a reality for the Island of Saba.  Commissioner of Tourism, Chris Johnson, and Tourism Director, Glenn Holm will be attending the event.

The conference will be held at the Sandiford Conference Center on April 24^th and April 25^th.  This show has already started its promotion as of April 14^th and the participating islands have been highlited on the popular morning show, Channel 8 “Morning Barbados”.  Saba’s new promotional video is also being aired on the morning show.

Holm informed GIS that Saba will have an 8×8 stand at the event where they are distributing tourism information such as attractions and accommodations.  Approximately five thousand people are expected to visit the show over the two day period.

The Island Territory of Saba in recent months has discussed remarketing Saba’s tourism strengths to a more regional market.  “Our reasoning for attending this event is because we’re concentrating more on regional tourism”, confirmed Director Glenn Holm.

In addition to attending the show in Barbados, Saba is also advertising in the TV guide of French Sint Maarten and St. Barths.  Next month Saba will also be represented at the SMART show in Sint Maarten.

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

General, Tourism

Commissioner Johnson addressing Hotel Owners Association ( Sub-committee of the SBA) and Director of Tourism, Glenn Holm.

April 14, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

Commissioner of Tourism, Mr. Chris Johnson and local Tourism Director Glenn Holm recently held a meeting with stakeholders in the tourism sector.  Discussions surrounded several pending issues that the island is currently facing; such as the effect of the economic recession on the islands tourism market, joint marketing strategies, and low-season preparation. 

This meeting was requested by Mr. Wolfgang Tooten of the Saba Tourism and Hotel Association, sub-committee of the Saba Business Association.  The meeting was organized to cater to the hotel owners and dive shop operators as being the most influential to the local tourism market.

Those in attendance were open in discussion while also analyzing the closing of the 2008/2009 high-season.   Many of the stakeholders voiced the opinion that communication needs to be improved from the tourist bureau and the Hotel/Dive shop owners.  Director Glenn Holm agreed to send monthly updates as to the marketing actions of Government and the Saba Business Association agreed to compile a comprehensive email list in order to carry this out.  Commissioner Johnson reminded the group that Government serves as a facilitator in these matters and that he hopes that the main players in the tourism market would start combining their efforts in marketing, instead of competing with each other on a small scale.

The meeting concluded with several action points including a follow-up advertisement in Duiken, a Dutch Magazine, more focus on regional markets, and better cooperation with transportation providers (such as Winair, The Edge, and Dawn 2).

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

General, Tourism