LA REUNION, France – Is it possible to create value for everyone? Nicolas Maslach of St. Martin, French Caribbean, speaks at the La Reunion UNWTO conference on small islands.

Tourism has been developing since the 1980s in St. Martin, but they are not intending to increase the market but rather want to improve the marine reserves that exist on the island. The population is around 90,000 people, and since it’s a small island, (90 Sq. Km) that’s a high density. There are also around 90 ethnic groups on the island which is reflected in the wide variety of cuisine on offer. 3 million tourists arrive per year, 2/3 of which arrive by cruise ship. There is pressure on the resources of the island and this a strong pressure on the infrastructure and the marine environment. They have set up some protected wildlife zones, and they uphold the protection of these sites. There has been the creation of a natural reserve park with no less than 60 companies offering a variety of experiences and products. This structure helps manage aquatic species on the island and makes it clear to tourists where to visit and what activities can be enjoyed.