New Year’s messages like fireworks
by Cdr. Bud Slabbaert It is the season for it. It can show the difference between the message of a real Leader and the work of a ghostwriter. In most cases, you wouldn’t even know, because of the lack of unique More...
They come visiting us carrying a hidden treasure
by Cdr. Bud Slabbaert For fifteen years now, he and his wife are coming to St Maarten; and that twice a year. Why didn’t we meet them before? I found out that they have so much give: Wilmer Woodland and his wife More...
Where the majority of the people decides
by Cdr. Bud Slabbaert Voters in Switzerland, this Sunday approved by a clear margin legislation which introduced a special COVID-19 certificate that lets only people who have been vaccinated, recovered or tested More...
Applying magic to Caribbean tourism
by Cdr. Bud Slabbaert Having aspirations to be part of the Caribbean tourism industry? Get education in hospitality programs of universities or academies, right? Not always right! Webinars or workshops of hospitality More...
St.Maarten/St.Martin Research and Development Center
by Cdr. Bud Slabbaert It is common knowledge that the economies in the Caribbean desperately need diversification. Being dependent for about 70-85% on tourism is insane. It is sad that no realistic alternatives More...
Creating a new normal for the future
by Cdr. Bud Slabbaert I don’t know when it was, the night of December 31, 2020 or December 2021, that I heard a leading politician make the statement: “We have seen hardship, we have seen triumph. We shall More...
Developing the Caribbean from within – part two
by Cdr. Bud Slabbaert In a previous essay, the “Development from within the Caribbean” was suggested. Up to five territories could be the Founders of such an initiative. Which territories is the first question More...
Jackass Airport
Believe it or not, there exists an airport called Jackass Aeropark, although it is no longer in use. It is situated northwest of Las Vegas and was named after an area in the Amargosa Valley where wild jackasses More...
Combating Recession in the Caribbean through Cooperation
[Publisher’s note: The article below was first published in April under the title ‘THE economy opportunity of the moment‘. Erroneously, this article was republished under the above heading ‘Combating More...
THE economy opportunity of the moment
By Cdr. Bud Slabbaert In these difficult times when we know that economic hardships have to be countered and solutions need to be found, there are realistic opportunities. There is one development model that More...
