The launch of SHATA

The Suriname Hospitality and Tourism Association (SHATA) gave a presentation on Friday to the media and the tourism sector. The event was held at the Courtyard by Marriott hotel.

Under the chairmanship of Marc Waaldijk, former director of Staatsolie, the association, which got off the ground in February, is designed to bring together the whole private sector, and thereby create an important voice for and towards the government. The directors of the Marriott, Torarica, Kersten Hospitality and Orange Travel put their heads together to turn tourism into one of the most important industries in Suriname.

With Mr. Waaldijk on board, even before its official launch, SHATA had quickly grown to a 30-strong membership. Although the SHATA is created by the bigger companies, it aims to be of benefit to all companies, regardless of size.In addition to other activities, SHATA intends to make an impressive and successful presentation for the country at the Vakantiebeurs 2017 holiday fair in Utrecht, Netherlands.

With support from the CBI, a Dutch government agency, STAS International Strategic Communications and Branding was hired to handle Suriname’s positioning in the market.
Sinfra Zaandam has been engaged as Managing Director

On Wednesday 5 October SHATA had a meeting with all the relevant government stakeholders: the directors of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs, TCT, Youth Affairs, Trade & Industry and Regional Development. KLM, SLM, Airports Administration and the Suriname Tourism Foundation were also present, as were VSB, ASFA and the Surinamese Business Forum. It is the intention of this core monitoring group to give a boost to the tourism sector both domestically and internationally.
The website will be operational next month.

Read an online news item here:: Starnieuws