Philipsburg

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SHOPPING MECCA OF THE NORTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN

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SINT MAARTEN IS A DUTY FREE SHOPPER’S PARADISE

Duty Free Shopping According to a study on Duty Free Shopping in the

Caribbean, the global duty free trade has developed rapidly over the past 50 years, from a very modest beginning in 1947 to a multi-billion dollar industry today.

Fifty-two years ago the duty free industry saw the light of day for the first time when a small whiskey and tobacco store opened at Shannon Airport, Ireland. At that time, just after World War II, it was logical that Shannon’s advantageous and strategic position on the west coast of Ireland should be the final refueling stop, before the final 2500 mile trip to New York.

From this point onwards, airport authorities in Europe and elsewhere started realizing the potential of non-aviation income that could be generated by duty free shops. The Americas now represents more than one quarter of global duty free sales of which the Caribbean alone stands for an impressive and important close to half the share. Very few regions in the world can compete with the Caribbean in terms of relative duty free performance with regard to the geographic size of the region.

The Caribbean provides some of the best shopping experiences in the world, but Sint Maarten is different. One of the joys of vacationing in Sint Maarten is that it is duty free! Great values can be had because prices are among the lowest in the Caribbean. Certainly much less than prices you would pay in the U.S., Europe and Canada.

With no duties on jewelry, leather goods, cameras, gold, perfumes, cosmetics, watches, china, crystal, linen and much more from around the world, Sint Maarten is a duty free shopper’s paradise. The best places to shop on the Dutch

[WELCOME TO THE CAPITAL OF DUTY FREE SHOPPING]

side are Philipsburg’s Front Street and Old Street, Simpson Bay, Maho Reef, and Cupecoy.

New additions to duty free shopping have been added such as the “Puerta Del Sol Plaza,” a new extension to the Simpson Bay Yacht Club Shopping open mall area and “Porto Cupecoy.” Wherever you go, you’ll find the best products the island’s expanding duty-free sector has to offer. Philipsburg, the capital of Sint Maarten is built on a sand ridge. From the sleepy village to the bustling town with over a mile of duty free stores mainly jewelry, electronics, local Caribbean arts and crafts, watches, alcohol and tobacco, fine

cigars, camera’s, perfumes, art galleries, and much more. The town has a lot to offer the visitor. Shopping is one of the best reasons to take a break from the beach and water sports to explore what Philipsburg has to offer.

There are approximately 500 duty free shops on the island. Duty-free stores are mainly located on Front Street. The Front Street location offers various stores, great access to the cruise ship passengers that arrive via three cruise ship tender jetty’s, namely the Capt. Hodge Jetty centrally located

Travelers in the know are taking a close look at the goods being produced by local artisans. Caribbean crafts people bring to their work a rich and colorful blend of African and European influences that make up their culture.

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Philipsburg, Bobby’s Marina Jetty, and Walter Williams Tender Jetty in front of Sea Palace hotel.

Competition between merchant’s guarantees that the customer gets what they bargained for with great prices on emeralds, set diamonds, rubies, sapphires, cultured pearls, gold, silver and much more.

Philipsburg stores also offer a wide selection of fine jewelry and watches from such well-known designers as C2K, Caribbean Hook, Honora, House of Tanzanite, John Atencio, John Hardy, Kabana, Roberto Coin, Starnight, White Diamonds, Alfex, Concord, Faconnable, Gucci, Maurice Lacroix, Michele, Movado, Wenger, La Nouvelle Bague and more.

Sint Maarten has some of the most famous duty free shopping in the region. Many of the stores have branches at the airport, cruise terminal, Maho Shopping Center, and Cupecoy.

Whether arriving by plane, cruise ship or mega-yacht, the visitor will find an endless selection of gift items to carry back home as reminders of their vacation on the “Friendly Island.”

GETTING TO PHILIPSBURG

It is easy to get to the capital town of Sint Maarten. Whether you are driving your own rental car, taking a taxi cab, or using private public transportation, getting there is not a problem. There is one main road with some secondary roads, the latter giving you quicker access into Philipsburg.

NIGHT LIFE

There are a number of casinos throughout the town. For those who are into gambling, Philipsburg has much to offer. Due to the town’s proximity to the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities, thousands of cruise ship passengers and crew visit the casinos on an annual basis to try their luck and many become winners.

Town, which Philipsburg is also referred to, offers lively beach bars, night time activities on the beach promenade where you can meet visitors and locals and hang out in a friendly

environment.

DINING / RESTAURANTS

Philipsburg would not be the capital of Sint Maarten if you couldn’t find great food. Town offers a variety of international cuisine and you won’t be disappointed.

SHOPPING HOURS

Stores on Front Street open at 9:00 am until 6:00 pm from Monday to Saturday. Occasionally some stores would open on Sunday when there are several cruise ships in port.

TRANSPORTATION

TAXIS

Finding a taxi in Philipsburg is not a problem. Taxis are available to take you wherever and whenever you need to go.

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BUS SERVICE

You also have the option to travel via bus. In this case you will need to go to Back Street and search out a bus that is going in your direction. If you are traveling from Caravanserai/ Maho Reef/Mullet Bay/Cupecoy, then you will have to check the directional sign which is usually at the front section of a bus telling you in which direction the bus is heading in order for you to reach your destination.

Busses travel from Philipsburg to the main tourist areas namely, Cole Bay, Simpson Bay, Caravansarai, Maho and Cupecoy, where one finds the majority of hotels. You can also get out at the Simpson Bay Yacht Club Shopping Center, and cross the street walking in the direction of Pelican, where you will find a number of hotels, timeshare properties and vacation villa rentals.

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ESSENTIAL SERVICES

Philipsburg is the base for all major services such as notaries, law offices, banking institutions, government departments and much more. All the aforementioned are in walking distance from each other. Whether you’re an investor or a visitor, Philipsburg has something to offer everyone.

PARKING

The most convenient parking lot is located in front of the Government Administration Building at the Clem Labega Square which is located across from the Windward Islands Bank. Additional parking lots have been built across from the Post Office, the Police Station and the temporary Ring Road parking area.

PHILIPSBURG REJUVENATED

The Government embarked on a number of projects to rejuvenate the capital town of Philipsburg. Plans for beautifying Front Street date as far back as 1999. The first part of the rejuvenation of Philipsburg entailed beach replenishment, where tons of sand were pumped from the seabed onto the Great Bay Beach.

Very few islands can boast of a beach in town, like the size of the one in Philipsburg. Since the beach replenishment, more restaurants and beach bars have opened, and there are a lot more activities for visitors to enjoy on the beach and the promenade.

From the beach replenishment followed the construction of a seaside beach promenade, then by the beautification of Front Street, Back Street and sections of two secondary streets in the town. The entire process of development and rejuvenating the city capital is all related to improving the overall visitor experience.

BEACH PROMENADE

The beach promenade starts at Passangrahan Guesthouse near Bobby’s Marina and stretches as far as Sea Palace Hotel. The promenade has become a hive of activity. It allows one to leisurely stroll along the waterfront enjoying the ambiance of Philipsburg. One also has easy access to restaurants and main street – Front Street, where you can find all your duty free shopping experience.

BEAUTIFICATION OF FRONT STREET

The first phase of the beautification of Front Street started from Passangrahan Hotel and went as far as Sea Palace Hotel. However, the beautification program continued down to the former Paper Garden Book Store. The Government recognizes that further upgrading and improvement of the tourism product is necessary if Sint Maarten wants to continue to remain one of the main tourism destinations in

the Caribbean.

The upgrading of Front Street fits into the Government’s development vision policy document, “A Development Perspective for Philipsburg and the Greater Great Bay Area,” which outlines a particular framework on how the capital town should be developed.

ALL ROADS LEAD TO PHILIPSBURG – THE TOURIST CORRIDOR

In keeping with the vision of continuing to upgrade the island’s tourism infrastructure, another project that Government embarked upon was the busy thoroughfare which connects Philipsburg to the French side of the island.

Part of the Tourist Corridor beautification project has been executed. It features a running/walking track for visitors and residents. It also features specially constructed stone walls, an avenue of indigenous trees, a fishing deck, customized street lighting and much more. The beautified area of the Tourist Corridor stretches

from the Buncamper Road, Point Blanche to the Keys in Suckergarden.

HARBOUR POINT VILLAGE – AN ADDITION TO SHOPPING IN THE CAPITAL

In addition to Philipsburg is Harbour Point Village, which opened in May 2003 at the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facilities in Point Blanche. This five acre development was designed in the traditional Caribbean flavour of architecture.

Harbour Point Village is a mini-Philipsburg – a small shopping arcade consisting of 12 shops and 12+ market stalls. Harbour Point is meant for cruise visitors who stay onboard the vessel; the individual can take a stroll into the little village which is not far from the cruise pier; or those who go on an island tour and return to the cruise port without having the experience of shopping in Philipsburg, can still do that last minute shopping at the Harbour Point Village.

There are already several traditional, high quality shopping centers on the island. The Harbour Point Village is a reminiscence of the days gone by, but not forgotten.

POND ISLAND

Pond Island is a new development. It is surrounded by the historical salt ponds and is linked to Philipsburg. It is also part of the Development Vision of the Government.

There are existing buildings such as the University of St. Martin, Telecommunications Earth Station, Turning Point Rehabilitation Center, the Sint Maarten Receiver’s Office,

Little League Ball Park, Festival Village and the Government Office Complex. All government offices will be housed in this building. It will be more investor and customer friendly as all government departments will be centrally located at one location.

CENTER OF TOWN CAPT. HODGE WHARF

The Capt. Hodge’s Wharf was renovated. The pier in Philipsburg at the Cyrus Wathey Square is an important transportation link between cruise ships docking at the Dr. A. C. Wathey Cruise & Cargo Facility and the island’s main shopping center, Front Street.

It accommodates water taxis and tender vessels to off load

and take on passengers simultaneously. It houses a Tourist Information Office, and a Police Sub-Station.