TORONTO — With an increasing number of Canadians visiting St. Maarten, the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau has opened a new tourist office in Toronto.

Run by Catherine Pentiricci, sales and marketing manager for St. Maarten’s Canadian market and president of Jaunt Marketing and Consulting, the new office is designed to support the Canadian travel trade press and offer travel agents information, training sessions and brochures on behalf of the island.

“I am very excited to be a part of the St. Maarten team. St. Maarten is a captivating sun destination that has so much to offer Canadians,” said Pentiricci. “I look forward to providing agents with the information and resources needed to book the destination and continue St. Maarten’s growing success in the Canadian market,” she added.

St. Maarten saw a 12.1% increase in Canadian passenger traffic during the first six months of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012. The island is also the fastest growing Caribbean destination, according to a study done by Expedia.

The Canadian St. Maarten Tourist Office invites agents seeking information on St. Maarten to contact the new office by phone at 1-855-499-4900 or e-mail at stmaarten@jauntmarketing.com.