The secret is finally out! St. Maarten has officially been
revealed as the mystery Caribbean destination for the third edition of Destino
Oculto, an innovative travel experience organized by Colombian low-cost airline
Wingo.
Approximately 400 visitors from Bogotá and Medellín, Colombia, arrived at
Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) on Thursday, October 22, marking the
beginning of an exciting four-day destination experience that will run through
October 25, 2026.
The initiative is made possible through a strategic collaboration between the St.
Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB), Office de Tourisme de Saint-Martin (ODT), and
the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE), working alongside Wingo
Airlines and its organizing partner Okana Group to introduce the island to a new
audience of South American travelers.
A Hidden Destination, An Unforgettable Caribbean Experience
Destino Oculto, which translates to Hidden Destination, is a unique travel concept
in which travelers purchase a vacation package without knowing their final
destination until shortly before arrival.
The experience combines the excitement of surprise travel with carefully curated
destination activities, allowing participants to discover new places, cultures, and
experiences.
For its third edition, Wingo selected St. Maarten/Saint-Martin, an island
celebrated for its extraordinary blend of Dutch and French Caribbean cultures,
world-renowned beaches, vibrant culinary scene, shopping, adventure activities,
and warm hospitality.
The visitors, including travelers, content creators, and media representatives, will
experience the best of both sides of the island during their stay.
Upon arrival at Princess Juliana International Airport, guests were welcomed with
a festive Caribbean reception featuring traditional steel pan entertainment,
destination greetings, and a warm welcome from the Honorable Minister of
Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Mrs. Grisha
Heyliger-Marten.
Strengthening Tourism Ties Between Colombia and St. Maarten
The arrival of Destino Oculto 3 represents an important milestone in St. Maarten's
ongoing efforts to strengthen its presence in the Latin American tourism market.
Colombia has consistently ranked among St. Maarten's leading South American
source markets, demonstrating the potential for further growth in visitor arrivals,
travel trade partnerships, and regional connectivity.
By introducing hundreds of Colombian travelers directly to the destination, the
initiative provides an opportunity to increase awareness of St. Maarten, stimulate
future travel demand, and generate valuable exposure through traditional and
digital media.
The collaboration also reflects a shared commitment among tourism and
aviation stakeholders to expand St. Maarten's reach into emerging visitor
markets while positioning Princess Juliana International Airport as a gateway to
the northeastern Caribbean.
Beyond the immediate destination exposure generated by Destino Oculto 3, the
initiative also reflects ongoing efforts to explore stronger air connectivity between
St. Maarten and the Colombian market.
“Today, we warmly welcome our Colombian visitors to St. Maarten through
Wingo’s Destino Oculto experience. Their arrival represents an exciting
opportunity to showcase our island to Colombia as we work to expand our reach
into the wider Latin American market.
“As Government, we are in ongoing negotiations with Wingo to explore future
connectivity. Over the next four days, we have an opportunity to demonstrate
what makes St. Maarten special from our beaches and cuisine to our culture and
hospitality and inspire these visitors to return and encourage others to discover
our island.
“Our goal is to turn this exposure into lasting tourism growth, creating more
opportunities for our hotels, restaurants, tour operators and local entrepreneurs.
We thank Wingo and all participating partners for helping us introduce St.
Maarten to a wider Colombian audience,” stated Minister Heyliger-Marten.
Throughout their stay, participants will enjoy a carefully coordinated programme
showcasing the diversity of experiences available on both sides of the island.
Beyond the official itinerary, participants will also have opportunities to discover
additional local attractions, experiences, and businesses through a digital
activity guide featuring special promotional offers.
These experiences highlight the destination's tourism offerings, including
adventure tourism, marine activities, cultural attractions, gastronomy, recreation,
and shopping.
A Collaborative Approach to Destination Promotion
The successful realization of Destino Oculto 3 demonstrates the importance of
cooperation between the public and private sectors in developing innovative
tourism marketing initiatives.
Through the combined efforts of the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, Princess Juliana
International Airport, and the Office de Tourisme de Saint-Martin, the destination
continues to strengthen its international positioning while supporting local
tourism businesses and creating opportunities for meaningful visitor
engagement.
The initiative is expected to generate valuable destination exposure through
participant experiences, social media content, media coverage, and word-of-
mouth promotion, further strengthening St. Maarten's appeal among Latin
American travelers.
As the visitors begin their four-day journey, one message remains at the heart of
the experience: One Island. Two Nations. Endless Experiences.
About the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau
The St. Maarten Tourism Bureau is responsible for promoting St. Maarten as a
premier Caribbean destination, showcasing its beaches, cultural diversity,
culinary experiences, shopping, entertainment, and tourism offerings to
international markets.
Through strategic partnerships, destination marketing campaigns, and travel
trade initiatives, the Bureau works to strengthen visitor arrivals, support the local
tourism industry, and enhance St. Maarten's global visibility.
