St Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation to showcase the island’s rich history, pristine marine life, and quiet charm to active Canadian travellers
ORANJESTAD, St. Eustatius — The St Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation (STDF) will introduce the island to Canada’s active mature travel market this week at the 55+ Lifestyle Travel Show, Ottawa’s largest and most established event dedicated to active mature travellers. Taking place on 25 and 26 September, the two-day expo offers Statia a direct platform to present its strong eco-tourism and heritage attributes to one of Canada’s most engaged travel demographics.
Ebelene Schmidt-Hinds, the STDF board president, will represent the island at the event. Her presence underscores Statia’s commitment to expanding its footprint within the North American market, particularly among discerning visitors seeking authentic, uncrowded Caribbean experiences over mass-market resort tourism.
According to Statistics Canada, Vanier Institute and Readership survey, individuals aged 55 or older possess almost two-thirds of Canada’s wealth, with an average household net worth of $690,000. They also constitute the largest group for vacation travel.
“Ottawa’s active 55+ demographic aligns naturally with what Statia has to offer,” said Maya Pandt, director of tourism. “These are travellers who value depth, heritage, and genuine connection with local communities. They want meaningful itineraries, rich storytelling, and pristine natural environments. The 55+ Lifestyle Travel Show provides us with the perfect stage to share Statia’s story directly with this audience.”
Why Statia fits the 55+ traveller
Statia — officially Sint Eustatius, a special municipality of the Netherlands in the northeastern Caribbean — has never chased mass tourism, and that is precisely its appeal to this audience. There are no cruise ship crowds, no high-rise resorts and no queues. In their place: a walkable island with fewer than 3,500 residents, a UNESCO-recognised trove of 17th and 18th-century ruins, and a national marine park considered among the region’s premier dive sites for both novice and experienced divers.
History runs deep here. Statia was once known as the “Golden Rock,” a free-trading hub so central to transatlantic commerce that in November 1776 its governor ordered the first salute to the flag of the fledgling United States — an event Statia continues to commemorate and will mark with its 250th anniversary celebrations on 16 November this year. For travellers drawn to authentic, storied destinations, Statia’s archive of merchant warehouses, forts and Jewish and colonial heritage sites offers a rare, unhurried way to walk through history.
Add to that a warm, stable climate year-round, an established diving and hiking infrastructure that suits varying fitness levels, and a slower island pace built for genuine cultural exchange, and the fit with the 55+ demographic — travellers with the time, means and appetite for meaningful, active travel — becomes clear.
“Our focus in Ottawa is to build personal relationships, both with potential visitors and key regional travel partners. As travel preferences shift toward sustainability and off-the-beaten-path discovery, Statia stands ready to welcome Canadians seeking an unforgettable, restorative journey,” Pandt added.
Visitors to the 55+ Lifestyle Travel Show can meet with Ebelene Schmidt-Hinds at the STDF showcase to discover tailored travel inspiration, upcoming events, and logistical guidance for visiting the island.
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