As we kick off the new year, we get back in swing with an exclusive interview in CX’s Jan 2018’s Edition.
With elections right around the corner, we see many old and new candidates trying to find their right marketing scheme to get their vote secured for upcoming elections. With all the loud voices, no one seems to stand out as they all seem to be exploring the same old visions with no new direction. In the midst of it all there is one little whisper that seems to over power the loudness and its the cry for Eco-Tourism. For many that don’t understand what Eco – tourism is, can check out more info on page 12:
The Definition
Ecotourism is now defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education” (TIES, 2015). Education is meant to be inclusive of both staff and guests.
There is so much a country and its people can benefit from the implementation of Eco Tourism and it’s social and economical impact. Over the past years Cultural Xpression Newsmagazine has been highlighting the importance of Eco-Tourism and the destinations that offer the exclusive experience from a global to local perspective. Now that the concept has been taken into consideration for looking at St Maarten perhaps as a new Eco-Tourism destination for our visitors, it is of great importance that the community and it members be granted a chance to be a part of the many benefits this concept may have toward positive community development. In this months edition we get a chance to bring you closer to the voice of the whisperer, the man with the Eco-Tourism Plan, Director for the St. Maarten Tourism Authority Mr Roland Brison to hear a bit more of his plans for revitalizing St Maarten’s tourism product by implementing new Eco Tourism Concepts and district base tourism.
Who are you and where are you from ?
My name is Rolando Brison, I was born and raised on St. Maarten.
Where did you attend school , do you hold any current degrees ?
I attended the St. Maarten Academy and higher education in the Netherlands at the InHolland University where I obtained a Bachelor Degree in Hospitality Management.
What is your current expertise or preferred career choice ?
I am currently the Director of Tourism at the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau. This is exactly the career path I always dreamt of pursuing. Tourism is my calling.
We are aware that you have been appointed Director for the St. Maarten Tourism Authority, is this a career choice you hoped for after completing your studies or did you have an original career choice ?
I always knew I would be involved in tourism or tourism related sectors in a major way. It is why I chose my university study, I wanted to focus my life and my career pursuits strictly around tourism and what it can do for St. Maarten if Managed properly.
What inspired you to undertake your current career?
From my days at St. Maarten Academy and winning debates organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization, and then representing St. Maarten as a CTO Junior Minister of Tourism, to now, I continued to be inspired every day. Those events laid the foundation. But I am excited about my career choice every day.
What is the current situation on the revitalization of St Maarten’s Tourism Product after the passing of hurricane Irma?
We are constantly assessing the progress of our tourism partners, engaging in discussions to ensure that we still get business to the island. Discussions continue with various airlines and cruise lines and we continue to attend trade shows all over the world to get the word out that St. Maarten is open for business, though limited. The hotels are doing their best to rebuild and/or repair as quickly as possible. It will take some time, but everyone is doing their part.
We see that you have postulated yourself for the next upcoming elections and have been talking about a whole new concept called Eco Tourism and District base Tourism, what are your plans for Eco Tourism and how do you see it may benefit in the revitalization of St Maarten’s Tourism Product, Economy and People ?
My plans are centered around ensuring parliament adopts and continuously amends the tourism budget to allow for more eco tourism and district tourism initiatives to be developed. We also need to make sustainable tourism development laws, so that the damage to eco systems are minimized by tourism.
Do you have any other political focuses or agendas to champion if elected to parliament ?
What I’m trying to relay is that everything stems from tourism and how we manage our product. It benefits education, healthcare, crime fighting, housing ect. If funded correctly and if we channel revenues in creative ways, that said tourism revenue can truly reach our people, every sector on St. Maarten will benefit. So by championing proper, outside-the-box tourism management, I champion all sectors.
Sitting in your current position, lets say you don’t make it to parliament, What are your short \ long term goals or how do you plan to make eco tourism work despite not being elected ?
For the short and long term I still fully intend to push my eco-tourism initiatives as Director of Tourism and with whomever Minister is in office.
Have you identified any potential Eco Tourism destination on our island that may be interesting for our visitors, mention a few suggestions?
Well to answer this first, I have to state that the key thing in any eco tourism product is that its done sustainably and in harmony with our surroundings. With that said, Ive seen some places where we can sustainably develop eco touris. Products are the natural pool, marigot hill trail, Belvedere-oyster pond border tours, and the salt factory excursion in arch road.
From your view point, what would be the ideal Tourist attraction in terms of dining?
An outdoor restaurant in the middle of a farm, with produce that came directly from that farm. I call it Eco-Dining!
Does having a good team behind you play an important role in your career?
Absolutely. My team at the Tourist Bureau is the backbone of our operations. Without them nothing happens, nothing moves. But your team, once on the same page, functions as a well-oiled machine, meeting all planned goals and working in cohesion to excel past standards that we set for ourselves. So yes, my team is the key to everything.
Who or what inspires you, do you have a role model?
My father is a major role model. His calm demeanor yet effective approaches, and how he has handled any adversity is a major inspiration. He has taught me so much, one such important lesson being that “the greatest master is the eternal student”, encouraging me to always seek knowledge, listen, learn and then apply my wisdom to my actions.
Has rejection ever happen in terms of your career or Have you ever been discouraged and how did you deal with it?
I have been discouraged for some moments but it is never ultimate. St Maarten for a long time has been a place where not all our elders are as open to letting our generation reach our full potential. I experienced this when I was selected to be STA Director, but then saw so much resistance from certain elders in our society. But I maintained my pace, prayed about it and moved on to simply work and let that speak for itself. I think we are here now and indeed a lot of great work has been done.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years in terms of your career choice?
My only ambition right now is to be a Member of Parliament. Everything will not get done in 4 years, so I hope to work hard enough so that our people can re-elect me so that I can continue working on their behalf in five years and beyond.
What do you do in spare time for fun?
I’m a social bug. I like to be around people. I love our festivals, Heineken Regatta, Carnival, SXM Music Festival and of course I love to travel and represent my country. That’s the most fun I have because it’s for St. Maarten.
If you could be some where in the world right now where would you be?
Siting in Parliament working on my district based tourism initiative.
What role does nature, spirituality or culture play in you life?
My parents raised me to know that I can take everything to my God in prayer. So that is very, very important for me and in my tough times I still take everything to him in prayer. I love every part of our Culture which is why I was so deeply involved in every aspect of Carnival as its Marketing Director. That position brought me closer to our music, our local talent, our arts and crafts. And though I’m not among nature often, I do enjoy an occasional hike and the beach.
As we come to an end of our interview,
What would you like to share with St Maarten, surrounding community members and young entrepreneurs that look toward seeing St Maarten rise to the top and becoming once again one of the top destinations in the Caribbean ?
St. Maarten will rise again. Without a doubt. But it will take hard work from all of us. It will mean giving young professionals the opportunity to share and execute their new ideas in a new competitive world. This is our chance to re-invent our tourism product and thereby set St. Maarten on a path to reclaim its position as a preferred destination in the Caribbean. I am ready to lead this charge with fellow MP’s if you put your faith in me and elect me to Parliament on February 26.
We would like to thank Mr Rolando Brison for taking time out to complete this exclusive interview as he strives to revitalize St Maarten’s tourism product … We wish him much success on his journey forward and the upcoming elections!!!!
Read the entire Jan 2018 Edition of Cultural Xpression News-magazine HERE
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