“A household name, he was, in the development and shaping of St. Maarten’s Tourism Industry as we know it today”, said the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau (STB) on Thursday with respect to the passing of tourism icon Robert Dubourcq. Affectionately remembered by many, Mr. Dubourcq helped pave the way for many in the St. Maarten tourism industry, an action of which many have expressed their sincerest gratitude.

Remembered for his many years as manager of Divi Little Bay and more recently manager of Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort, Mr. Dubourcq no doubt helped to put St. Maarten on the map. After his tenure at Sonesta Great Bay Resort, Mr. Dubourcq returned to the St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA), the association he co-founded, as chairman and executive director. Under his guidance, SHTA developed into a multi-sectoral agency in the 1990’s.  With four decades of board presidency and membership to his name, he was forced to retire due to failing health. Even though he left his beloved St. Maarten, he remained a welcome contributor and cheerleader to the whole industry from the Netherlands where he relocated to.

For his unique contributions to the further development of Tourism on St. Maarten, Robert was awarded the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s Hotelier of the Year Award in 2004 and the St. Maarten Hotel and Trade Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. His involvement and volunteerism in St. Maarten’s society extended way beyond his efforts for the SHTA. He was a Paul Harris Fellow Rotarian as well.“The Management and staff of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau extend our sincerest condolences to the family and many friends of Robert Dubourcq,” STB said on Thursday.