Winner of SMART contest Ashanty Durand shares her story
June 5, 2026
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Wanderlust Travels SKN Wins Winair SMART 2026 Travel Agent Contest
May 25, 2026 – Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Winair and the organizers of SMART proudly announce Wanderlust Travels SKN travel advisor Ashanty Durand as the winner of the 2026 SMART Travel Agent Contest, receiving a complimentary round-trip ticket to St. Maarten courtesy of Winair.
Travel agencies from across the Caribbean were invited to participate by submitting a story answering the question: What makes Caribbean travel unforgettable?
Durand’s winning submission beautifully captured the essence of Caribbean travel through its warmth, authenticity, and sense of connection. Her story highlighted the region’s renowned hospitality, describing how “the Caribbean does not let you stay a stranger for long,” with memorable encounters ranging from a friendly local guiding visitors through St. Kitts to a Winair captain greeting passengers with familiar island charm.
The essay also celebrated the Caribbean’s rich culinary culture and breathtaking landscapes. From the aroma of Jamaican jerk cuisine to spontaneous moments shared under a breadfruit tree in Statia, the story reflected the spirit of the islands and the lasting impressions they leave on travelers. Natural beauty also played a central role, with vivid references to Dominica’s lush mountains and Bonaire’s striking salt flats beneath brilliant blue skies.
Ultimately, the winning entry emphasized the unique emotional connection travelers experience throughout the Caribbean, a destination where every island carries its own character while sharing the same welcoming heartbeat.
Winair and SMART extend their sincere appreciation to all participating travel advisors for their creativity and enthusiasm.
The 18th edition of SMART will take place from June 22 through June 26, 2026, at the JW Marriott Convention Center in St. Maarten. Organized annually by the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA), the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, the Office de Tourisme de Saint-Martin, and the Club du Tourisme, SMART remains the largest travel trade event in the Northeastern Caribbean, connecting international tour operators, online travel agencies, and travel advisors with regional hotels, destination management companies, and excursion providers.
For additional information, interested parties may contact the SMART team at +1 721-542-0108 or via email at events@shta.com. More information regarding registration and accommodations is available at SHTA.com/SMART.
Read Essay here
May 25, 2026 – Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Winair and the organizers of SMART proudly announce Wanderlust Travels SKN travel advisor Ashanty Durand as the winner of the 2026 SMART Travel Agent Contest, receiving a complimentary round-trip ticket to St. Maarten courtesy of Winair.
Travel agencies from across the Caribbean were invited to participate by submitting a story answering the question: What makes Caribbean travel unforgettable?
Durand’s winning submission beautifully captured the essence of Caribbean travel through its warmth, authenticity, and sense of connection. Her story highlighted the region’s renowned hospitality, describing how “the Caribbean does not let you stay a stranger for long,” with memorable encounters ranging from a friendly local guiding visitors through St. Kitts to a Winair captain greeting passengers with familiar island charm.
The essay also celebrated the Caribbean’s rich culinary culture and breathtaking landscapes. From the aroma of Jamaican jerk cuisine to spontaneous moments shared under a breadfruit tree in Statia, the story reflected the spirit of the islands and the lasting impressions they leave on travelers. Natural beauty also played a central role, with vivid references to Dominica’s lush mountains and Bonaire’s striking salt flats beneath brilliant blue skies.
Ultimately, the winning entry emphasized the unique emotional connection travelers experience throughout the Caribbean, a destination where every island carries its own character while sharing the same welcoming heartbeat.
Winair and SMART extend their sincere appreciation to all participating travel advisors for their creativity and enthusiasm.
The 18th edition of SMART will take place from June 22 through June 26, 2026, at the JW Marriott Convention Center in St. Maarten. Organized annually by the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA), the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, the Office de Tourisme de Saint-Martin, and the Club du Tourisme, SMART remains the largest travel trade event in the Northeastern Caribbean, connecting international tour operators, online travel agencies, and travel advisors with regional hotels, destination management companies, and excursion providers.
For additional information, interested parties may contact the SMART team at +1 721-542-0108 or via email at events@shta.com. More information regarding registration and accommodations is available at SHTA.com/SMART.
Read Essay here
