The Department of Statistics records all visitors (including transfers) arriving at the St. Maarten Princess Juliana International Airport and refers to them as Air . Due to St. Maarten’s unique location, some travellers use it as a hub to reach nearby islands, including French St. Martin. The full implementation of the new digital immigration system has improved the accuracy of arrival data; however, certain limitations remain, such as the inability to distinguish between transfer passengers, residents, or European citizens, which affects the completeness of detailed Passenger Arrival statistics. The Department of Statistics no longer uses the term “Stay-over visitors,” as it does not fully capture the true nature of all air tourism in St. Maarten.

Passenger Arrivals Results

• The year overview indicates that total Air for 2025 amounted to 855,994. Quarter 1 (Q1) recorded 256,923 arrivals, representing 30% of the annual total. Quarter 2 (Q2) followed with 209,877 arrivals (24.5%), while Quarter 3 (Q3) accounted for 168,915 arrivals (19.7%). Quarter 4 (Q4) recorded 220,279 passenger arrivals by air, representing the remaining 25.7% of the total market share for the year.

• The North American market, comprising the United States and Canada, recorded a combined total of 541,615 air passenger arrivals, representing approximately 63.3% of total arrivals in 2025.
• Of this total, the United States, our largest source market, accounted for 462,038 arrivals, representing 53.9% of the overall market and approximately 85.3% of the North American market. The U.S. averaged over 45,000 passengers per month by air.

• The European Union, our second-largest market, recorded 221,179 air passenger arrivals, representing approximately 25.8% of total arrivals in 2025.

Within the EU market, France emerged as the leading source country with 87,952 passengers, accounting for approximately 39.8% of the EU market and 10.3% of total air arrivals. The Netherlands followed closely with 85,741 passengers, representing approximately 38.8% of the EU market and 10.0% of total arrivals.

• Continuing with the other regions, the Caribbean recorded a total of 43,986 air passenger arrivals, representing approximately 5.1% of total arrivals in 2025, with a monthly average of over 3,500 passengers.

The Central and South America region accounted for 25,484 arrivals, representing approximately 3.0% of the total market, averaging more than 2,000 passengers by air per month, with August emerging as the peak travel month.

• The Rest of the World recorded a total of 15,730 air passenger arrivals, representing approximately 1.8% of total arrivals in 2025, with a monthly average exceeding 1,200 passengers.

Cruise Arrivals Results

• Cruise visitors to St. Maarten recorded a total of 1,597,940 in 2025. Of this total, the First Quarter (Q1) accounted for 635,968 visitors, representing 39.8% of annual cruise arrivals. The Second Quarter (Q2) recorded 236,391 visitors (14.8%), while the Third Quarter (Q3) accounted for 164,881 visitors (10.3%). The Fourth Quarter (Q4) contributed 560,700 visitors, representing 35.1% of the total cruise market for the year.
• Growth was recorded in every quarter (2025) relative to the previous year (2024): 11% in Q1, 14% in Q2, 23% in Q3, and 22% in Q4, resulting in an overall 16% increase.
• Cruise calls are nearing the pre-Hurricane Irma milestone of 600, with all high-season months surpassing the previous year’s figures.
• Comparing cruise calls from 2024 (513) to 2025 (592) shows an addition of 79 ships, representing a 15% increase.
• In the fourth quarter, cruise arrivals grew by nearly 100,000 tourists—a 22% increase over the same period in 2024—bringing the total for 2025 to over 220,000 more cruise passengers than in 2024.

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. A copy of this report will also be published on the STAT website at stats.sintmaartengov.org.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Reigning Calypso King Edsel “Yaadfowl” Eusebius, who stunned audiences last year by capturing the crown on his very first attempt in the Nagico Senior Calypso Competition, will now face a wave of challengers as Carnival 2026 heats up.

A field of 21 Calypsonians is preparing to battle for a place in the finals, with the calypso eliminations scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Aleeze Convention Center. The event will determine which performers advance to the final round in Carnival Village, where they will compete for the chance to dethrone the reigning monarch.

According to the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF), only ten performers will advance from the eliminations to the finals, making the March 21 showdown a critical stage in this year’s competition.

The released lineup of singers seeking a place in the finals includes: The Mighty Dando, The Mighty Dow, The Mighty Chipman, The Wizard, Bongo, Penshonair, King Barrow, Ebony Empress, Shadezz, Lady Baker, Pepper, The Protege, Young Dow, Fish Da Mega Boss, Ashayna, Empress Zee, Dr. Jones, Clifton Wilson, Baker Jr and Empress Euniaa and Lady Upsetter.

SCDF is encouraging all calypso lovers to come out and support the event, describing the eliminations as much more than a qualifying round.

“Last year, we did not have enough registrants to host an elimination round, so we went straight to the finals. This year, for the 55th anniversary of Carnival, we are very happy that so many singers are back and ready to battle for a spot in the final ten. This is not a show you will want to miss,” SCDF said.

The Foundation said the strong turnout this year is especially meaningful as St. Maarten prepares to celebrate the 55th anniversary of Carnival, with renewed energy across the calypso arena and a larger field of contenders eager to make their mark.

With Yaadfowl returning as the man to beat, and a competitive slate of performers now preparing to take the stage, the eliminations are expected to deliver an exciting night of music, commentary, and lyrical battle as the road to the Calypso crown officially begins.

PHILIPSBURG — The investigation into disturbing allegations of abuse involving two prominent local physicians has taken a new turn, with the younger suspect facing extended detention while his father has been released under strict conditions.
A judge has ordered that Dr. Danny Dennaoui remain in pretrial detention for an additional eight days. The decision comes as detectives continue to build their case regarding accusations of kidnapping, torture, and severe ill-treatment of a domestic employee.
The ruling to extend the younger doctor's custody underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the ongoing nature of the inquiry. Prosecutors successfully argued that his continued detention is necessary for the investigation to proceed without interference.
This development follows the release of his father, Dr. Michael Dennaoui, earlier this week. The senior physician was released from police custody solely due to medical reasons. The Prosecutor’s Office has made it clear that, despite his release, Dr. Michael Dennaoui remains a primary suspect in the case and remains subject to legal proceedings.
The investigation, launched by the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM), centers on a formal complaint filed by the doctors’ former maid. The victim alleges she was held against her will, injected with some sort of drug and antedote, and threatened with a weapon by her employers. According to preliminary reports, the violence allegedly stemmed from an accusation that the employee had stolen $50,000 from the household.
Detectives are reportedly working swiftly to gather evidence and conduct further interviews to corroborate the victim's account of the ordeal.
KPSM has reiterated that this is a highly sensitive and active case. Authorities are urging the public to allow the legal process to unfold as they work to ensure justice is served for all parties involved.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Prosecutor’s Office has formally appealed the full acquittal of Fernando Clark, setting the stage for a retrial before the Joint Court of Justice on March 5.

Clark had been cleared of sexual assault allegations involving two women who separately accused him of misconduct during medical examinations. The judge in the original trial ruled that there was insufficient evidence to convict, citing doubts about aspects of the testimonies and the lack of corroborating witnesses.

Both women had told the court that the alleged assaults occurred in the upstairs examining room after they had been scanned. According to the prosecution, the women — who did not know each other and filed complaints roughly eight months apart — described a similar pattern of behavior. They testified that Clark asked them to stand up after their examinations, requested hugs, and attempted to kiss them.

“They describe almost the same thing, the same modus operandi,” the prosecutor argued during the trial, maintaining that the similarities between the accounts strengthened their credibility.

However, defense attorney Safira Ibrahim successfully challenged that position. She pointed out that one of the women had been examined while two family members were present in the room. Neither family member reported seeing anything inappropriate during the 15-minute examination.

Ibrahim also highlighted parts of the woman’s police interview in which she said she had been under significant stress at the time and was “not in all my senses.”

In his ruling, the judge said that while the testimonies bore similarities, there were also notable differences that prevented them from serving as linking evidence. Among those differences was one woman’s claim that Clark had asked invasive questions about her sexual partners and whether she would consider having a “sugar daddy” — an allegation not made by the other complainant.

The appeal hearing is scheduled for March 5.