Eastern Caribbean economies are in a position to gain tremendously from the privilege granted to the OECS as The Guest of Honour at the world famous Le Grand Pavois Boat show in France from September 7-12^th 2005. At that boat show all member countries of the OECS will display unique products under a pavilion of one thousand square feet. The yachting sector in the Eastern Caribbean, well known for its activities and attractions in the marine industry, is among those likely to benefit tremendously from next year’s tourism and business promotional opportunity.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday morning at the OECS Secretariat Director General Len Ishmael welcomed the involvement of the OECS in the international boat show as a chance to maximize the potential of the region’s natural resources. The Director General said the member countries are excited about being the Guest of Honour at the boat show next year because it is a wonderful opportunity to attract many people to the Eastern Caribbean to sail and contribute to the economic and social welfare of the islands. Dr. Ishmael welcomed the special offer to the OECS as one that will showcase the unique character of the Eastern Caribbean and the romance of its history such as its languages and variety of cuisine and music. The Director General added that the Grand Pavois Boat Show could facilitate the movement of OECS member countries towards one economic space. She said this historic event will showcase the uniqueness of the OECS as a group diverse in spirit and character but united. 

The Grand Pavois Boat show will expose the OECS member countries to a new frontier for attracting broad media attention, visitors and investment because of its international reputation. Besides being acclaimed the number one boat show in Europe, it is also ranked number three in the world. The OECS will be the show’s 11^th Guest of Honour in 2005. 

President of the famous maritime event Alain Pochon also told the media the boat show promises a huge market for tourism products of the Eastern Caribbean. He continued that the Grand Pavois boat show is even an avenue for student exchanges. The show which runs over six days draws over one hundred thousand onlookers from around the world including Brazil, South Africa, Spain, Denmark and Australia and many of them will hear of the OECS for the first time as a new destination. Tourism Officer at the OECS Secretariat Daphne Vidal responded that all patrons at the Grand Pavois Boat Show look forward to visiting the Guest of Honour pavilion. Vidal noted that the OECS as the only Guest of Honour at the event is an opportunity to target a niche market within the tourism sector to attract persons to the OECS region.

Prior to the OECS’s participation in the international boat show, the Secretariat will coordinate the first Eastern Caribbean Rally from December 27^th 2004 to February 12^th 2005. In this event racers from around the globe will sail on a guided tour in an attempt to visit all the OECS Member Countries, ending in St. John’s Antigua and Barbuda. 

For further information please contact:

Tourism Officer Daphne Vidal at Tel: (758) 452-2537 email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Senior Communications Officer Kendol Morgan at Tel: (758) 452-2537 ext 8120 email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Communications Officer Raymond O’Keiffe at Tel: (758) 452-2537 ext: 8121 email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it