St. Maarten highlighted in Drift Travel and Lavender Magazine: A Dual Spotlight on Culture, Connectivity, and Inclusivity

GREAT BAY--St. Maarten has once again found itself in the international spotlight, this time through feature coverage in two very different but equally influential publications: Drift Travel Magazine and Lavender Magazine. Together, the stories showcase the island’s versatility, its unique cultural identity, and its expanding appeal to a wide range of global travelers.

The coverage in Drift Travel, published on August 20, 2025, presents St. Maarten as far more than a cruise port of call. In a feature titled “Cruise and Stay for the Experience in St. Maarten”, the island is depicted as a place where visitors should linger, not simply disembark and reboard their ships. The magazine highlights how luxury vessels such as Windstar’s Wind Surf, Star Clippers’ Star Flyer, Seabourn’s Ovation, and even the upcoming Four Seasons Yacht are already choosing St. Maarten as a key homeport. Yet the story makes clear that the island’s real strength lies in its ability to turn short cruise visits into longer stays filled with authentic experiences.

From horseback rides along the coastline at Seaside Nature Park to the thrill of standing beneath incoming jets at Maho Beach, Drift illustrates the island’s ability to deliver the kind of immersive encounters that travelers remember long after they return home. Culinary offerings are also given pride of place. Lo-Lo food stands serving lobster, ribs, and garlic shrimp are celebrated alongside more upscale dining options such as the Ocean Lounge and Alina Sushi & Sake Bar. Accommodations, too, receive attention, with Drift spotlighting everything from the centrally located Holland House in Philipsburg to family-friendly properties like Simpson Bay Resort and the contemporary Morgan Resort near Maho Beach. The result is a portrait of a destination that can be as relaxed or as refined as a traveler wishes.

This level of attention matters because of Drift Travel’s reach. Published six times per year, the magazine is aimed squarely at affluent, experience-driven travelers, and boasts a readership of more than 4.5 million worldwide. For St. Maarten, this means the island’s story is landing directly in front of readers who are not only inspired by aspirational travel writing but also have the means to act on it. For a tourism economy that thrives on visibility and differentiation, the value of such coverage cannot be overstated.

While Drift speaks to the high-end leisure market, Lavender Magazine casts St. Maarten in a very different but equally valuable light. Based in Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Lavender is one of the most respected LGBTQ+ lifestyle publications in the United States. It has been publishing biweekly since 1995 and reaches approximately 268,000 readers per edition, offering both print and digital content that covers travel, culture, fashion, food, and community events. Its readership extends well beyond Minnesota and taps into an audience that actively seeks inclusive, welcoming destinations.

In its recent “Fall Getaways” issue, Lavender encouraged its readers to trade looming winter coats for Caribbean warmth and specifically positioned St. Maarten as a standout choice. The piece underscores the island’s advantage in accessibility, noting that Delta Airlines has launched new nonstop flights from Minneapolis–Saint Paul to St. Maarten, alongside routes to San Juan and Grand Cayman. For Midwest travelers, this means the Caribbean is suddenly closer than ever before, with St. Maarten reachable in under five hours without the hassle of layovers.

The article paints St. Maarten as the destination where French finesse meets Dutch efficiency, where thirty-plus beaches frame an island that moves at the rhythm of sunshine. Travelers are encouraged to wander Philipsburg’s boardwalk, hop a ferry to St. Barts, or take a deeper dive into history at the We Culture Museum, which tells the story of Carnival and showcases costumes that connect the island to its roots. Holland House once again earns a nod for its prime location and oceanfront views, while local food favorites such as Captain’s Rib Shack and bakeries in Marigot capture the blend of European technique and Caribbean flavor that defines the island’s culinary landscape.

Perhaps most importantly, Lavender highlights St. Maarten’s welcoming spirit. While it acknowledges that the island does not have a large LGBTQ+ nightlife scene, particularly on the French side, the Dutch side’s beach bars and open-air venues are described as friendly and unbothered. The article also draws attention to the island’s growing PRIDE celebration held in November, with parades, pool parties, and community gatherings that reflect St. Maarten’s laid-back but inclusive ethos. For a publication that speaks directly to LGBTQ+ travelers, this affirmation of openness is a powerful message, one that positions the island as both safe and affirming for a community that carefully considers such factors when choosing where to vacation.

Taken together, the features in Drift Travel and Lavender Magazine offer St. Maarten a rare dual opportunity. On one hand, the island is showcased as a premium cruise and leisure hub for affluent global audiences. On the other, it is highlighted as an accessible, culturally rich, and LGBTQ+ inclusive destination for travelers seeking warmth, community, and authenticity. Both pieces converge on the same themes: that St. Maarten is versatile, welcoming, and brimming with experiences that make it more than just another Caribbean stopover.

The impact of such media exposure is both immediate and long-term. In the short term, the stories drive awareness, inspire bookings, and reinforce confidence among airlines, cruise companies, and tour operators who see that St. Maarten remains top of mind in competitive global markets. In the long term, the island builds a reputation as a place that adapts to different markets while remaining true to its cultural roots. Coverage in Drift ensures that high-spending travelers know the island is worthy of extended stays and investment. Coverage in Lavender guarantees that inclusivity, accessibility, and cultural vibrancy are front and center for communities that value those qualities.

For an island that depends so heavily on tourism, this combination of visibility is a major win. St. Maarten is not simply being advertised; it is being profiled by trusted voices whose readers believe in their recommendations. The fact that two very different magazines — one catering to luxury travelers and the other to LGBTQ+ communities — have chosen to spotlight St. Maarten in the same season is testament to the destination’s growing appeal. It also suggests that the island’s efforts to diversify its tourism base, strengthen its cultural identity, and enhance its accessibility are paying off in tangible ways.

At a time when global competition for visitors is fierce, St. Maarten’s dual presence in Drift Travel and Lavender Magazine sends a clear message: this is not just a stop along the way, but a destination worthy of attention, investment, and return visits. It is a place where heritage meets hospitality, where inclusivity aligns with luxury, and where the Caribbean spirit thrives in ways that resonate across audiences and continents alike.

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