In the minds of locals, especially those with hotels and restaurants to fill, cars to rent, merchandise to sell, and services to render, the 15-minute editorial piece about St. Barthelemy that ran on the ABC network's popular morning show, "Good Morning America", came like manna from heaven. Manna sometimes falls out of the blue in sports events: the 11th hour homerun, the end-of-the game goal, the unknown contender whose performance soars past the favorites to win the gold. We vicariously experience these golden moments in films contrived to elicit the knee-jerk emotional responses of their audiences, however predictable and expected they may be. Rare indeed are the times when events and necessity connive in a timely and randomly coordinated fashion to give rise to the old-ace-up-the-cosmic sleeve feeling that rekindles hope and leaves everyone feeling spared, grateful and awfully lucky.
"It (...the show) came as an incredible surprise," said Catherine Charneau, general manager for the Village St. Jean Hotel and vice-president of the St. Barth hotel association, who told Radio St. Barth listeners during a recent radio interview that this season, hotel occupancy rates were down between 10 and 25 per cent. Though Myron Clement, of the Clement and Petrocik public relations firm, who handles overseas publicity for the island, made the comment that St. Barth tourism was not as badly affected as surrounding islands, here, a free fall still feels like a free fall, and the show came as the security net when it was most needed.
So, why did "Good Morning, America" single out St. Barth among all of the other Caribbean islands that could have been, might have been, but were not chosen? According to a survey that ABC ran among television viewers, St. Barth was voted as the most romantic place to spend Valentine's Day. A former member of Bill Clinton's inner circle, George Stefanopolis, hosted the tv segment, highlighting for viewers the various elements that make the St. Barth reputation, its setting, its beaches, its charm, its Frenchness and its hot spots, like Maya's restaurant, Le Toiny and Eden Rock hotel. The presentation was enticing enough to stir the reaction and wanderlust of its American viewers, who, predictably, got on their computers to look for information about St. Barth. One of the places they looked was St. Barth Online (the travel site that you are currently visiting), whose internet traffic hit some peaks in the days immediately following the show.
When French TV networks do a piece on St. Barth, attention is invariably focused on the fact that this is a French island that is not paying taxes like everyone else. The format is pretty much the same: some standard beauty shots : the island's beaches, Gustavia harbor, followed by interviews with a few brutish French metropolitan transplants who brag about how much money they're making and how great it is not to have to pay taxes on their earnings. Then comes the part about the island officials, like the mayor, asked by the tv reporter to explain to French tv viewers why his community is not paying taxes like everyone else. By way of explanation, he or some other island representative will refer to the international treaty that was signed in 1877 between Sweden and France that guaranteed the island's status as a duty-free island. At the end of the report, the conclusion is usually made that this is a living day paradise reserved to a pocketful of the lucky few, an El Dorado shimmering in the horizon.
What's interesting is the way Americans present this island and what they choose to focus on. Of course, there are the traditional travel shots, but when American reporters underscore the island's uniqueness, it is without the disdain, envy or aggressiveness that is so often found in the documentaries and travel pieces of their French counterparts.
Many people on this island do not know what ABC is. Some may receive American network coverage, but it would be safe to say that the majority of island households did not, and will probably never see the "Good Morning, America" show on St. Barth that may result in greater occupancy, more tourists, and a better season.
Residents here were too busy thinking about Carnaval, also known as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday. Of all the parade floats, this year's favorite, judging by the applause, was the Moulin Rouge. It was an oddball entry that combined history and pop culture, Caribbean, American and French. In the end, maybe it is what St. Barth has made of its present and past, its regional, cultural and geographical specificities, along with the numerous twists of fate it has been doled, that make it so easy for some, so hard for others, to love the island.
Yves Bourel
Beyonce and Jay-Z have taken their daughter on her first vacation. The couple, who celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary last week, have been enjoying the sunshine on the Caribbean island of St. Barts with three-month-old Blue Ivy over the weekend, and took the tot for a day trip on a yacht.
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Kick-off Les Voiles de Saint Barth 2012 Caribbean regatta in the magical French West Indies sailing paradise!
Today the prestigious and top-class Caribbean sailing regatta Les Voiles de St. Barth 2012 with Gaastra Sportswear as the official partner starts: At the third edition run...
Inside the Bucket.
This video features the 2012 St Barths Bucket Regatta and music by the Evan Goodrow Band. Special thanks to the entire crew of the Rebecca, Baz Bar, St Barths Online and the guys from the Evan Goodrow Band for putting on a fantastic show. The song from the Evan Goodrow Band is c...
On board with Rebecca.
The best event in St Barths took place on March 24 - 27, 2012. This video features the beautiful 141 ft sailing yacht, The Rebecca.
produced by Real Media Travel for St. Barths Online and Baz Bar St Barth.
The age old saying of "I need a holiday to get over my holiday" actually seems applicable if you happen to be Paul McCartney.
The Beatle took wife Nancy Shevell on a romantic break to the Caribbean island of St Barts, just days after the pair visited Paris.
Last week, the lovebirds showed support ...
On the day their pregnancy news was announced, Thor star Chris Hemsworth, 28, and Elsa Pataky, 35, were seen in sunny St. Barts, France on Wednesday (January 18). The Fast Five actress looked lovely in blue, sporting her beautiful baby bump.
Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky
Chris and Elsa - w...
She might be 44, but Tamara Mellon still boasts a figure that women half her age would be proud of.
The Jimmy Choo co-founder showed off her toned figure in a sexy animal-print bikini as she hit the beach with her daughter in St Barts yesterday.
The skimpy string two-piece highlighted Tamara's env...
With almost every other celebrity couple enjoying the New Year in exotic locations, Gary and Danielle Lineker weren't going to be any different.
The married couple were spotted enjoying a romantic walk along a beach in St Barts today - and looked very much in love.
Gary, 51 and his wife, 32, had o...
Which beaches to choose?
The glamorous island of St Barts is one of the Caribbean's top beach destinations. Ringing the island are immaculate strips of sand and ethereal turquoise waters. The shallow reefs that encircle the island help to protect these renowned beaches, and they also provide excell...
St. Barts, Why Not?
Since the wealthy and celebrated frequently visit St. Barts for a tropical vacation, you will find that many plush St. Barts Resorts can be found on this stunning island. For those taking St. Barts holidays, it is simple to find hotels with each luxury available. Frequently thes...
Vacation With the Rich and Famous at St. Barts.
Want to bump into celebrities and be seen hanging out where the rich and famous play? Then the Caribbean island of St. Barts is the place to be.
While warm sand and blue waters do make an ideal vacation location, this destination has that and a whol...
Where to go for one day in Caribbean?
St. Maarten / St. Martin
The half-Dutch, half-French island of St. Maarten/St. Martin, with its many restaurants and hotels, makes a great base for an island-hopping adventure. Graced by the nickname Unspoiled Queen, tiny little Saba is not the kind of Caribbe...
Villa La Plage in St Barts.
The posh French resort isle of St. Barth's was already a prize destination when Roman Abramovich purchased an estate there for $89 million in 2009; since the oligarch arrived it has become even more so.
Now Christie's International Real Estate has listed another impres...
Baywatch in St Barts.
Making it official after five years of engagement, Brooke Burke and beau David Charvet have reportedly tied the knot while yachting in St. Barts.
According to Life & Style, the "Dancing with the Stars" host and the former "Baywatch" hunk, who have been vacationing in the...
St. Barth Summer Sessions Aug. 5-15, 2011
St Barth Summer Sessions 2011 this year will have a focus on artists from Brazil. The festival will take place at a variety of different venues all over the island, and in the end of the festival there will be a big common concert in the Harbor of Gustavia ...
The Eclipse, no ordinary yacht.
It probably hasn't escaped your attention that, with modern methods of transport, measuring and telecommunication, no "terra incognita" is safe from the crazed enthusiasm of certain explorers of scientists. Everything has already been discovered and minutely placed o...
Ashley Rodriguez Trio
Ashley Rodriguez, one of the famous finalist from the American Idol 2010 is back in St Barth between May 5-15. Ashley was participating last summer for the St Barth Summer Session in august 2010 at La Plage and she will now come with her 'All Girls Band', Liz on the guitar ...
The La Plage restaurant introduce :
ST BARTH SUMMER SESSIONS
« 5 to 15 august 2010, 10 days of crazy music ! »
Festival program
La Plage St Jean Tel: 0590 52 81 33 Email: tombeach@wanadoo.fr Site: www.stbarthsummersessions.com
THE GREAT FISH DEBATE There seems to be a bone of contention among a few of my friends. Fine folks who love some of the finer things in life, such as Dover Sole That flat fish floating in butter and capers. Known in French as Sole Meunière, it is made from what is called in European fisherman ver...
