Anguilla is recording high levels of interest in both its marine and onshore tourism products at the 2005 Grand Pavois Boat show in La Rochelle France.

Anguilla is one of the nine OECS countries sharing a pavillion at the boat show which this year is expected to attract more than 100, 000 visitors and about 600 exhibitors. The joint regional participation is being coordinated by the OECS Secretariat which wants to step up the promotion of the critical tourism sector and the yachting industry in particular. OECS Director General Dr. Len Ishmael has said that apart from the BVI, the rest of the OECS has not been maximising the revenue earning potential of the yachting sector. The exposure to the Grand Pavois boat show is expected to lead to increased yacht arrivals and revenue.

The Anguilla representative to the boat show, Deputy Tourism Marketing Director Ms Merlyn Rogers says the steady stream of visitors to her booth have been asking about where the island is located and the best way to get there.

Ms Rogers says after the first day she had already made a booking for a group of forty people to visit Anguilla in October.

The Grand Pavois boat show runs from September 7th to 12th.