GREAT BAY--The St. Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB) has launched a promotional campaign in St. Thomas to build passenger demand for Contour Airlines' newly introduced nonstop flights between the two islands, while opening discussions with United States Virgin Islands tourism officials on joint marketing, cross-cultural exchanges and regional tourism cooperation. The initiative follows the October 5 launch of direct air service between St. Maarten and St. Thomas, restoring a connection that had been absent for more than 20 years.

GREAT BAY--Five garbage collection companies are demanding an independent investigation into the government's 2026-2029 solid waste tender, raising questions about the scoring of bids, the decision to award two parcels to individual companies, differences in bid prices and the evaluation of equipment and experience. The companies are also requesting that government consider suspending the finalization or implementation of the contracts, where legally permissible, until their concerns have been independently examined.