St. Maarten has been named Caribbean Destination of the Year at the 12th edition of the Caribbean Travel Awards, reaffirming the destination as one of the most dynamic and successful tourist hubs in the region. In addition, Grisha Heyliger-Marten won the title of Caribbean Tourism Minister of the Year, while Princess Juliana International Airport received Caribbean Airport of the Year for the second consecutive year.
The Caribbean Travel Awards, launched in 2014, are considered the most significant measure of excellence in tourism and travel in the region. Winners are selected and named by the editor of Caribbean Journal, along with leading tourism experts in the Caribbean. The 2026 awards include 41 categories, recognizing destinations, experiences, and the people shaping the future of Caribbean tourism.
These awards come at a time when Caribbean tourism continues to rise, with more than 35 million overnight visitors expected in 2025, in addition to 38 million cruise passengers. Among the region’s outstanding destinations, St. Maarten has demonstrated exceptional growth, accessibility, and a diverse tourism product.
At the moment St. Maarten was named Caribbean Destination of the Year, Caribbean Journal editors highlighted the destination for its world-class culinary scene, booming air transport, rich and diverse hotels, and its unique identity as two countries on one extraordinary island. As a major port and a key Caribbean hub in the northern part of the region, St. Maarten continues to reach new levels of tourism visitation and global recognition.
Tourism Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten, who took office in 2024, was recognized for her leadership in stimulating the tourism resurgence and repositioning St. Maarten as a premier Caribbean tourism destination.
“This recognition means a lot for St. Maarten because it reflects more than a single achievement—it affirms the collective effort, discipline, and shared vision of our tourism sectors,” Minister Heyliger-Marten said.
“Being named Caribbean Destination of the Year, alongside recognition for our airport and tourism leadership, shows that when we plan intentionally, invest strategically, and work together, real results follow. This moment belongs to our people, frontline tourism workers, public-private partners, and all stakeholders committed to building a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable tourism economy.”
Further reinforcing the destination’s success, Princess Juliana International Airport was named Caribbean Airport of the Year, recognized for its modernized terminals and its growing role as one of the Caribbean’s most important air hubs.
Together, these three prestigious awards highlight St. Maarten’s status as a leading Caribbean destination, defined by its connectivity, culture, culinary excellence, and hospitality.