Closer collaboration between independent tourism operators

The season has already begun for most tourism professionals. Butlers are no exception, needless to say. The butler, sometimes referred to as a butler but more akin to a man (or woman) orchestra at the service of tourists, is one of the many luxury tourism figures present on the island. Every year, the success of the profession attracts more and more aspirants to Saint-Barth. Unfortunately, they are not always specialists in the local customs and traditions. So, for the past three years, Martin "Bonheur" Berger has decided to provide a structure for the profession. Mainly by creating a space for meetings and contacts between the various players in the tourism industry who are in contact with butlers: independent chefs, agencies, etc. Last Saturday, October 26, Martin organized an evening of meetings and reunions at the Cave du Port Franc in Gustavia.
"It's a sort of forum aimed at strengthening our collaboration," explains Martin, an independent butler since 2017 after working for several years in Saint-Barth in the luxury hotel and restaurant business. He wanted this meeting to be relaxed and convivial. But with a clear objective. "The years have gone by and a lot of people have wanted to take the same path (towards the butler profession)," he explains. And why not? But today, it's coming from all sides. From France and elsewhere. My aim is to propose a structure, to build a group of people who have the same deontology, the same work ethic. And that the agencies know, who are here 12 months a year, who know how to work and aren't here just to line their pockets. "

"Quality
So the idea is quite simple: to weave a web, a network between recognized and serious independent professionals. To join the group, you need a minimum of two years' experience on the island," assures Martin. Everyone is up to date with their contributions, has a Siret number, can issue invoices and so on. The aim is to provide a framework for all this, and to be able to join forces if there's a dispute. We're 62 on the group. We don't want quantity, we want quality. People who aren't just here for a month. "Although the concept bears a strong resemblance to one, it's not an association, still less a trade union. Nevertheless, the system devised by Martin "Bonheur" seems to be working perfectly. In any case, the professionals present on Saturday evening at the Cave du Port Franc all express their satisfaction since joining the group.
Morgan, a private chef in Saint-Barth "for a few years now", explains: "This evening is a way for chefs, butlers, concierges and others to get together at the start of the season... It's a real support group, whatever the sector, we need it. As a chef, we sometimes need to find certain products that our suppliers don't have, or other times we're not available for certain services to demanding customers. This allows us to find chefs and butlers who meet our exacting standards. "In fact, exchanges between these professionals cover all aspects of tourist life on the island. Finding a yacht in record time, spreading the word when an original activity might appeal to customers (such as a sea outing with a local fisherman), and so on.
Within this structured group of professionals, the aim is also to share useful information. From customer complaints to suggestions for long-term service development, anything goes. But Martin's main idea remains the following: to highlight the work ethic and deontology of all these players in the tourism industry. Not to mention thwarting the arrival of unskilled "gold diggers" lacking in knowledge of what service on Saint-Barthélemy entails.
At the Cave du Port Franc, Benoît is delighted to have been able to host this evening meeting. "We're delighted because it's a world that's becoming structured and professionalized, and we're very happy about that, because the ultimate aim is to provide the best possible service for the customer," he says. The President of the Chambre économique multiprofessionnelle, Thomas Gréaux, was also on hand to invite all professionals to call on the Cem for their administrative or training needs. "We're here to support you", he insisted. One thing is certain: no one could hide their pleasure at being together. A last moment of relaxation before plunging into the euphoria of the high season.