TORONTO — The St. Maarten and Anguilla Tourist Boards in Canada teamed up for a joint FAM earlier this month.

The group of 20 agents flew with WestJet from both Toronto and Montreal, and experienced this year-round service into St. Maarten.

The joint FAM gave the agents an opportunity to enjoy the neighbouring destinations, which are only 5.5 miles apart, and understand the ease of access to both islands.

“An important part of St. Maarten’s appeal is the three neighbouring islands; Anguilla, St. Barth’s and Saba. Anguilla, only 20 minutes away by ferry, is the closest,” said Catherine Pentiricci, Manager of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau in Canada.

“The consensus from this fam group was a strong feeling of how the two destinations both contrast and complement each other, creating a unique and rich vacation experience. In addition, the agents were among the first in Canada to conduct site inspections of St. Maarten properties that will be brand new to the 2014/2015 winter tour operator programs, a few of which haven’t been formally announced yet.”

“We were thrilled to participate in this excellent FAM. The itinerary was busy, but the agents kept the pace and got to see the best that Anguilla offers with appeal to all budgets,” said Dale Pusching of the Anguilla Tourist Board in Canada.

According to Audrey Williams, Senior Travel Consultant, Vision 2000, Montreal, “St. Maarten and Anguilla together create a perfect blend of St. Maarten’s Dutch hospitality oozing with a multitude of activities for all, to the subdued sophistication and tranquility of Anguilla’s virgin white sand beaches. Together they are an awesome and magical duo”.

St. Maarten is the smallest island in the world to be shared by two nations, Kingdom of the Netherlands and France, creating a European-influenced vibe with a Caribbean flair. Calling itself “the culinary capital of the Caribbean”, St. Maarten offers an eclectic array of cuisine fusion for food lovers with more than 365 restaurants, one for each day of the year.