How is it almost over?! - Claire Findley

This week marked an exciting transition in our program as we officially wrapped up our classroom lectures and shifted our focus toward completing our final projects and preparing for presentations. Throughout the first few weeks, we spent a great deal of time learning about tourism, marketing, public relations, and analytics, and now we are finally able to put all of that knowledge into practice. In addition to learning how to create a campaign book, we continued developing our understanding of the analytics process and how data can help determine the most effective ways to promote St. Martin. We have moved beyond the initial brainstorming stages and are now diving into the deeper research, strategy development, and content creation that will form the foundation of our campaign.

As our projects continue to take shape, it has become increasingly important to think critically about what makes St. Martin unique and how we can communicate those qualities to potential visitors. My group is focusing on showcasing experiences beyond the island’s beaches, highlighting hidden gems, cultural attractions, and activities that visitors may not immediately think of when planning a trip. Because of this, it is essential that we not only research the island but also experience it ourselves. Understanding what makes a destination special is much easier when you have had the opportunity to explore it firsthand.

Throughout the week, our professors encouraged us to continue getting to know the island while also taking time to enjoy everything it has to offer. While completing our projects is a major priority, it is equally important to immerse ourselves in the local culture, attractions, and experiences. After all, if we are creating a campaign designed to encourage people to visit St. Martin, we need to have a genuine understanding of what makes the island such a memorable destination.

One of the highlights of the week was another boat excursion. During the trip, we had the opportunity to visit beautiful beaches and spend time snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters surrounding the island. It was exciting to experience another side of the Caribbean and see some of the natural beauty that attracts so many visitors each year. While many of my classmates spent their time swimming and exploring, I also enjoyed having the chance to relax on the boat and catch up on some reading. With our schedules becoming increasingly busy as project deadlines approach, it was nice to have a moment to slow down and enjoy the scenery.

Since there were no additional organized excursions this week, we were able to spend more time exploring independently. This gave us the opportunity to test how well we have gotten to know the island over the past few weeks and to seek out places that might be useful for our projects. Whether through research, conversations with locals, or personal exploration, we continued gathering ideas and inspiration for our campaigns. Overall, this week provided a great balance between academic work and personal exploration, and it helped reinforce the importance of truly understanding the destination we are working to promote.