Heyliger-Marten seeks talks with Anguilla over cruising permits, immigration delays

GREAT BAY--Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten has formally reached out to authorities in Anguilla seeking clarification and ministerial dialogue over proposed maritime regulations and immigration procedures that St. Maarten's boat tour and charter operators say could negatively affect their businesses and the movement of visitors between the two islands.

The Minister's correspondence follows a meeting with local maritime operators on Thursday afternoon, during which concerns were raised about Anguilla's proposed cruising permit framework and what operators described as cumbersome immigration clearance procedures involving excessive administrative requirements and delays for passengers.

Heyliger-Marten said the concerns require constructive engagement between both governments, particularly given the close economic relationship between St. Maarten and Anguilla and their shared dependence on tourism.

“Anguilla has every right to regulate activity within its waters, and we respect that. Equally, Sint Maarten has a responsibility to protect its businesses, employment, and economic interests,” Minister Heyliger-Marten stated. “Where decisions affect the movement of visitors and the livelihoods of operators across our islands, direct government-to-government dialogue is essential.”

Following the meeting, the Minister wrote to her Anguillian counterparts requesting official clarification regarding the proposed measures and calling for early discussions at the ministerial level. She also wants affected St. Maarten operators to have an opportunity to provide input before arrangements that could influence their operations are finalized.

The concerns come against the backdrop of a longstanding maritime relationship between the neighboring islands, with charter vessels and boat tour operators facilitating the movement of tourists and contributing to economic activity on both sides.

Heyliger-Marten emphasized that St. Maarten's position as a regional gateway, supported by its international airport, maritime infrastructure and tourism services, also provides significant economic benefits to neighboring destinations, including Anguilla.

“Our islands depend on each other. Sint Maarten provides access and services that support a substantial part of our shared tourism economy. If those connections become more difficult or less commercially viable, the effects will also be felt in Anguilla,” she said. “That is why we must work together on practical solutions that respect each jurisdiction while keeping our regional tourism product competitive.”

Beyond the immediate concerns involving Anguilla, the Minister used Thursday's meeting to outline the Ministry's broader plans for strengthening St. Maarten's maritime sector.

These include modernizing the existing legal framework, improving maritime infrastructure and establishing clearer regulatory arrangements that encourage responsible business development while improving the overall visitor experience.

She emphasized that government and maritime operators share responsibility for improving industry standards, addressing operational challenges and ensuring the sector remains competitive.

The Minister also acknowledged the need to address administrative obstacles within St. Maarten's own jurisdiction, reaffirming her commitment to pursuing improvements locally while engaging regional partners on matters affecting cross-border maritime activity.

“Our objective is straightforward: clear rules, efficient procedures, and a relationship in which the benefits and responsibilities of cooperation are recognised on both sides.”

The proposed Anguillian cruising permit framework remains a central concern for local operators, while the Minister's request for official clarification and dialogue represents an effort to address those concerns through diplomatic engagement before further decisions are made.

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