The Grenada delegation to the September 7th to 12th Grand Pavois boat show in La Rochelle, France are reassuring yachting enthusiasts that the country's yachting sector is open for business, after the recent setback from hurricanes Ivan and Emily. 

The three member Grenada delegation say they were pleasantly surprised at the high level of awareness about the country by the steady stream of visitors to their booth on the opening day. They say many visitors say they knew of Grenada from the coverage of the hurricane and the 1979 to '83 revolution. The visitors have been enquiring about the marine facilities on the island and the associated costs of operations. They have also been asking about on shore accomodation and activities.

Grenada joined the rest of the OECS in mounting a joint mission at the Grand Pavois boat show,one of the three largest in the world. The show, which has been in existence for the past thirty years attracts an annual attendance of more than 100, 000, many of whom are yachts people looking for new destinations.

The joint OECS participation is being coordinated by the OECS Secretariat in response to what Director General Dr. Len Ishmael says is the under-utlisation of the capacity of the yachting sector in the sub-region. The Secretariat expects the OECS participation in Grand Pavois to lead to significant increases in yacht arrivals and revenue generation from the sector.

The Grenada delegation to the boat show are Suzanne Mason, Market and Development Officer at the Grenada Board of Tourism; Jacqui Pascal of Horizon Yacht Charters, and Richard Szyjan of the sails company Turbulence Ltd.

Submitted by Kendol Morgan, OECS Communications Officer on assignment in La Rochelle France.