TEATT exploring new revenue measures across tourism, aviation, maritime and creative industries

GREAT BAY--The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) is actively exploring a series of new and expanded revenue measures across the tourism, aviation, maritime and creative sectors, including stronger Airbnb and short-term rental compliance, adjustments to existing TEATT fees, tourism certification charges and possible aviation and maritime fees.

Minister of TEATT Grisha Heyliger-Marten outlined the measures during Thursday’s public debate on the draft 2026 National Budget, stressing that none of the potential revenues have been included in Budget 2026 and that the timelines presented by the Ministry should not be interpreted as firm implementation deadlines.

The work comes as TEATT is already seeing stronger-than-projected year-to-date collections from business licenses, hotel room tax, timeshare tax and car rental tax, while Turnover Tax collections are also benefiting from continued growth in cruise and stay-over tourism.

Heyliger-Marten said the Ministry nevertheless wants to look beyond the current revenue streams and examine how growing areas of economic activity can contribute more fairly and sustainably to the country.

“The Ministry remains focused on how increased economic activity can contribute more meaningfully to the country’s revenue base,” she told Parliament.

Airbnb and Short-Term Rental Framework Among Furthest Advanced

Among the measures furthest along is the modernization of the hotel tax and short-term accommodation framework, including Airbnb and other vacation rentals.

According to the Minister, drafting has been completed and the proposal is currently undergoing internal Government review. The work includes modernization of existing hotel tax legislation as well as strengthening compliance within the short-term rental market.

TEATT estimates that this work could potentially move toward implementation within approximately six months to one year, depending on the necessary legal and administrative processes.

Heyliger-Marten has previously emphasized the importance of creating a more level playing field between traditional accommodation providers and the rapidly growing short-term rental sector.

Existing TEATT Fees and Leges Under Review

The Ministry is also reviewing its existing fees and leges.

Relevant fees and levies have already been identified, proposed rates have been formulated and the implementation process is ongoing. A committee has also been established to review the matter.

The Ministry currently estimates a possible timeframe of approximately six months to one year, although the Minister repeatedly cautioned that the timelines are indicative rather than commitments.

“We do not want their absence from the 2026 Budget to create the impression that they are absent from our policy discussions or work program,” Heyliger-Marten said.

Hotel Classification and Tourism Certification

TEATT is also examining the introduction of hotel and tourism classification fees.

The Ministry believes such a system could potentially follow a legislative and administrative structure similar to health certification and food-handler requirements administered through the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor.

A related Tourism Certification Program is also under consideration for tourism-facing workers and operators.

Both initiatives are currently estimated as measures that could potentially require approximately six months to one year to develop, subject to legislation, consultation, administrative preparation and other requirements.

The objective would go beyond generating revenue. A structured certification and classification framework could also establish standards within the tourism industry while creating clearer requirements for operators and tourism professionals.

Aviation Fees Could Follow Different Timelines

Several possible aviation-related revenue measures are also being investigated.

Certain aviation fees may be capable of being introduced or adjusted through a national decree containing general measures, potentially allowing implementation faster than reforms requiring an entirely new legislative framework. The indicative timeframe presented for these measures is approximately one year.

More complicated are possible aviation overflight and air-navigation fees.

These depend on the broader reorganization of air traffic control, changes to aviation legislation and the development of the necessary institutional arrangements. TEATT therefore estimates a longer pathway of approximately one year to 18 months.

The Minister stressed that the difference in timelines demonstrates why Government cannot simply announce new charges without first ensuring that the underlying legal and institutional structures are capable of administering them.

Maritime Fees Require Wider Reform

TEATT is similarly examining potential maritime fees, but the Ministry expects those reforms to require approximately one to two years.

The initiative requires broader legal and institutional review and could involve modernization of St. Maarten’s maritime legislation.

The Ministry said the work may follow a reform path similar to that required for aviation and air-navigation charges, where regulatory, institutional and operational issues first have to be addressed.

Film and Creative Industry Permits Also Being Explored

Another area identified for possible future revenue is the film and creative industry.

TEATT is examining the establishment of a structured permitting framework for film and creative-industry activity, but the proposal requires coordination across several areas of Government.

The work is expected to involve TEATT together with Education and Culture, Foreign Affairs and Finance, among others, to establish the necessary framework.

Because of the cross-ministerial work required, the Ministry estimates a potential development period of approximately 18 months to two years.

Minister: Objective Is Not Simply More Taxes

Heyliger-Marten stressed that the exercise should not be interpreted as an effort simply to identify new taxes and charges.

“Our objective is not simply to find new taxes or introduce additional charges,” she said.

The Ministry is instead examining where outdated systems can be modernized, where compliance and existing collections can be improved, and where expanding sectors of the economy could generate a reasonable return for the country without unnecessarily burdening economic activity.

The Minister said this is also why potential revenues from the measures have deliberately not been inserted into the 2026 Budget.

Many remain at stages where implementation costs have not been finalized, programs have not been formally approved and credible revenue projections cannot yet be made.

“I believe that is the responsible approach,” Heyliger-Marten said.

Broader TEATT Reform Agenda Underway

The potential revenue measures form part of a much broader legislative, policy and institutional reform agenda being advanced by TEATT.

Among the areas currently being worked on are cannabis regulation, public transportation reform, the Strategic Economic Plan, Beach and Vending Policy, Residential Economic Policy, Sports Tourism Policy, Hosting Policy, and Festivals and Events Policy.

Institutionally, the Ministry is also advancing work connected to the St. Maarten Tourism Authority, Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Agency, EDC reform, Competition Authority and Public Transportation Authority.

Heyliger-Marten said the initiatives are at different stages and will not all reach completion simultaneously.

Some require legislation, while others still need research, stakeholder consultation, financing, governance structures or coordination with other ministries and institutions.

“Creating an Authority is not simply about giving an institution a name. Passing legislation is not simply about getting a law through Parliament,” the Minister said.

“We have to ensure that what we create can actually function, can be financed, has the appropriate governance structure and ultimately solves the problem it was designed to address.”

The Ministry is also continuing work to improve existing systems before adding new responsibilities. That includes cleaning up licensing registries, strengthening critical functions and improving administrative and licensing processes.

Heyliger-Marten said Government must first be confident that it can properly administer and enforce existing requirements before creating additional obligations.

Planning Beyond Budget 2026

The Minister connected the revenue proposals and institutional reforms to TEATT’s 2026 theme, “Forward by Design,” and her description of the Ministry as the “little engine that could.”

Despite limited staffing and financial resources, she said TEATT is attempting to maintain the existing economic engine while simultaneously building the legal, regulatory and institutional framework needed for future development.

The measures, she said, are therefore not isolated initiatives. Collectively, they are intended to modernize tourism management, transportation, agriculture, investment, competition and other areas capable of contributing to a broader and more resilient economy.

“The train is moving on today’s track, but we are already studying the routes that can take St. Maarten further,” Heyliger-Marten said.

“Not every future destination appears in the current timetable, but that does not mean the planning has stopped.”

‍