Eastern Caribbean islands join forces to boost superyacht appeal
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States has launched the 'Many Islands, One Sea' campaign, which aims to boost superyacht traffic to the region by investing in infrastructure and developing the regatta schedule.…
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is pressing ahead with plans to develop the region’s superyacht industry, according to a report on Caribbean 360.
The organisation convened in February in the British Virgin Islands to devise an action plan. The initiative has also been backed by the EU, under the auspices of its economic integration and trade body.
The OECS is keen to capitalise on the residual benefits to local economies that embracing yachting and yacht tourism has been proven to bring. Secondary and tertiary sectors such as provisioning, security, taxi services and repairs are all earmarked for benefits from this increased focus.
The organisation’s programme officer Dr Loraine Nicholas said that the aim was to garner geopolitical cooperation to fashion yachting into a major regional economic driver:
“The yachting sector in the OECS has been identified as offering an ideal opportunity to mobilise the shared benefits of the economic union and is one of the clearest and most obvious avenues to develop the OECS as a single economic space.
“In light of the archipelagic configuration of the OECS region, comprising nine small islands in close proximity to each other, and linked by arguably some of the best sailing waters in the world, yachting is a prime niche sector in tourism that can be developed and promoted jointly in the OECS.
The drive is being marketed under the banner, ‘many islands, one sea’, and places an emphasis on the plethora of excellent cruising grounds within easy reach of each other.
Logistically the campaign will require investment in human resources; an extension of the regatta schedule; and the tightening of national legislative frameworks to support the growth of the industry.
“Right now, you can’t find a single villa available in Virgin Gorda because people stay on after the regatta”, Pachner explained. “This region is still taking off so it would be wrong to take it for granted; owners are very demanding people and there’s huge scope for more sophisticated restaurants and shopping.”
Pachner feels that there is still room to improve local infrastructures, although he welcomes the preparedness of governments to facilitate this. “The natural environment is our biggest asset and we have to preserve that. We feel our responsibility but it’s great that the government is prepared to work with us.”
The Eastern Caribbean is already a well-established fixture on the global superyacht regatta calendar. St Barths for example, plays host to one of the most famous regattas of them all, the St Barths Bucket. The 2013 edition of this annual event is taking place between 28 and 31 March, and will be the subject of a full report in Issue 144 of The Superyacht Report. There will be 35 superyachts competing in the event, nine of which are Perini Navi builds (Andromeda la Dea, P2, Luna, Panthalassa, Parsifall III, Salute, Zenji, Silencio and The Maltese Falcon) competing for the Perini Navi Trophy.
The organisation convened in February in the British Virgin Islands to devise an action plan. The initiative has also been backed by the EU, under the auspices of its economic integration and trade body.
The OECS is keen to capitalise on the residual benefits to local economies that embracing yachting and yacht tourism has been proven to bring. Secondary and tertiary sectors such as provisioning, security, taxi services and repairs are all earmarked for benefits from this increased focus.
The organisation’s programme officer Dr Loraine Nicholas said that the aim was to garner geopolitical cooperation to fashion yachting into a major regional economic driver:
“The yachting sector in the OECS has been identified as offering an ideal opportunity to mobilise the shared benefits of the economic union and is one of the clearest and most obvious avenues to develop the OECS as a single economic space.
“In light of the archipelagic configuration of the OECS region, comprising nine small islands in close proximity to each other, and linked by arguably some of the best sailing waters in the world, yachting is a prime niche sector in tourism that can be developed and promoted jointly in the OECS.
The drive is being marketed under the banner, ‘many islands, one sea’, and places an emphasis on the plethora of excellent cruising grounds within easy reach of each other.
Logistically the campaign will require investment in human resources; an extension of the regatta schedule; and the tightening of national legislative frameworks to support the growth of the industry.
The OECS is looking to build on the popularity of events such as the St Barths Bucket, which attracts a huge influx of visiting superyachts.
Must-attend regattas form a key basis for local infrastructural investment, and encourage repeat cruising. This is evidenced by the impressive Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) subsidiary that was opened in Virgin Gorda in 2012. An extension of the famous Italian yacht club, the marina recently played host to the Rolex Swan Cup Caribbean, pitting a fleet of Nautor Swans against each other, including 30.5m Varsovie.
YCCS secretary general, Jan Pachner believes that the social element of superyacht regattas offers a huge boost to the British Virgin Islands economy, where YCCS Virgin Gorda is located. He estimates that vessels budget for at least a $50,000 spend per week, before one even considers provisioning, bunkering and logistics.
YCCS secretary general, Jan Pachner believes that the social element of superyacht regattas offers a huge boost to the British Virgin Islands economy, where YCCS Virgin Gorda is located. He estimates that vessels budget for at least a $50,000 spend per week, before one even considers provisioning, bunkering and logistics.
YCCS Virgin Gorda.
“Right now, you can’t find a single villa available in Virgin Gorda because people stay on after the regatta”, Pachner explained. “This region is still taking off so it would be wrong to take it for granted; owners are very demanding people and there’s huge scope for more sophisticated restaurants and shopping.”
Pachner feels that there is still room to improve local infrastructures, although he welcomes the preparedness of governments to facilitate this. “The natural environment is our biggest asset and we have to preserve that. We feel our responsibility but it’s great that the government is prepared to work with us.”
The Eastern Caribbean is already a well-established fixture on the global superyacht regatta calendar. St Barths for example, plays host to one of the most famous regattas of them all, the St Barths Bucket. The 2013 edition of this annual event is taking place between 28 and 31 March, and will be the subject of a full report in Issue 144 of The Superyacht Report. There will be 35 superyachts competing in the event, nine of which are Perini Navi builds (Andromeda la Dea, P2, Luna, Panthalassa, Parsifall III, Salute, Zenji, Silencio and The Maltese Falcon) competing for the Perini Navi Trophy.
The St Barths Bucket.
Profile links
Yacht Club Costa Smeralda Virgin Gorda (YCCS)
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