A world famous marine event in France Le Grand Pavois boat show has declared the OECS as “Guest of Honour” for 2005. This development gives the OECS a wonderful opportunity to attract more visitors from around the world. As a result , there is great anticipation among the OECS member countries as they prepare to showcase attractions that make their respective islands uniquely beautiful.

The OECS confirmed its availability as guest of honour at the 2005 Le Grand Pavois boat show, during a visit to the 2004 show in France from September 15th –20th. During that event, Daphne Vidal, tourism officer at the OECS Secretariat accepted the invitation on behalf of the OECS member countries. Vidal was part of an OECS mission to attract visitors at the boat show to the sub- region.

Vidal notes that preparations for the 2005 event will require a tremendous effort by OECS member countries. This will include coordination among the tourism authorities and marine trade associations. “ It gives us the opportunity to show the world that the OECS is a world class tourism destination” –(Vidal)

To help ensure that the OECS is ready for this historic landmark event, national stakeholder committees are being organised to inform how each country will be represented at the boat show in France next year.

In addition, prior to the OECS’s special recognition in France next year the sub-region will host a major yachting event later in 2004. The event, designed to attract yachters from around the world is dubbed as the Eastern Caribbean Rally. The Eastern Caribbean Rally will sail along the OECS chain of islands beginning on December 27th and climax in Antigua and Barbuda on February 12th 2005. Yachters participating at the Le Grand Pavois boat show have shown interest in this year’s inaugural event.

Meanwhile a special media conference will be held at the OECS Secretariat on Tuesday October 19th 2004. At that media conference the secretariat will play host to the President of the Le Grand Pavois Boat Show in France Mr. Alain Pochon. This relates to the OECS as a Guest of Honour at the world reputed Le Grand Pavois Boat show in France.

The participation of all OECS member couintries in this event will be a first time experience and with the added accolade of Guest of Honour at the next boat show, tremendous benefits for our tourism industry and economies as a whole are highly anticipated. Also on hand to greet the media will be will be OECS Director General Dr. Len Ishmael and Tourism Officer Daphne Vidal.