From poetry to economy

You are the author of a website on well-being and love relationships and you published a collection of poems in 2014 entitled Love, passion and emotions (translation of the French title “Amours, passions et émotions”)...

Love, passion and emotions is based on my personal experience as well as that of my close friends and family. The collection is the translation of these experiences in the form of poems. Without really expecting anything, I sent my manuscript to Edilivre  which publishes books free-of-charge and prints them on paper upon request. I was drawn to this alternative publishing house which is close to nature. The text was then submitted to a committee that decides whether the work is good or not. I received an email but I didn’t believe it, so I didn’t answer. Three months later, the director called me and asked "why didn’t you answer?”. I was so surprised to be taken seriously and that they liked the book...

You then wrote Boosting tourism in Saint-Martin (French side) published in July 2015. How did you change from poetry to economy?

It was easier than you think. As a social worker and trainer, I had my first job at the Mont des Accords middle school in 2008. Last year, I was in the middle of training for a new career in the field of tourism. In February 2015, I got my European diploma of advanced studies in tourism and hospitality, the equivalent of a bac + 4 or a Bachelor's degree, with the Distance learning institute, the INEAD which is a member of the FEDE (Federation for Education in Europe). Since I have been living here, I have been surprised by the difference between the Dutch and French sides for tourist entrepreneurship. I therefore wrote a report on tourism in St Martin for which I did a lot of preparatory groundwork. This book is the continuation of my report. The tourism partners that I solicited encouraged me to publish it because I am already a published author, and said that it could be useful to the territory. I turned to Soualiga Media for whom I write scripts. I owe this beautiful cover and the pictures present in the English version annex to them.

Nine months later, on April 7, you published the English translation: Boosting tourism in Saint-Martin (French side). Why? This second edition was not planned. When the French version was released, many locals told me it was good but some professionals would better understand the technical aspects if the book was in English. Alessandra Fiorillo, an interpreter, translated it into English, especially since she believed in this book. Now, with the English version, I’m going after the world, big time. My goal is to attract investors and tourists to Saint-Martin. I really wanted to sell the French side because I believe in it. Worldwide, people think about casinos and nightclubs, but Saint-Martin has more to offer than that. I want to show that the French side is complementary.

What solutions do you propose to boost tourism?

Read the book! The French side is banking on high-quality tourism and ecotourism but this requires concrete improvements and more security, otherwise the clientele will prefer to stay on other islands where the environment is preserved. For now, Saint-Martin is not attractive. Even the locals are unfamiliar with their heritage. My demonstration is based on the 2010-2015 development plan. A few things have been implemented since then (a census of the built heritage...). I want to contribute to the touristic development of this island. I do things because I believe in them, not just to do them.

Where is your book available?

The Concordia Bookstore is selling copies on a commission basis. Therefore, I order several copies and sell them all taxes included.

Do you have other writing projects?

I actually do have other writing projects. I want to write about something else. I have a lot of talent and I don’t want to be locked up in a box. In the meantime, I regularly publish articles on my website about well-being and living together. I’m trying to improve people’s lives, to bring flowers into their life by giving them the “keys”.