Show Boat Antigua

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Tourism News

Monday, 17 January 2011 06:55

By Ian Magic Hughes

Antigua & Barbuda was a main feature at the just-concluded Toronto International Boat Show at the Direct Energy Centre over the weekend It is the country’s 18th year at the event which attracted thousands of patrons here in Toronto.

“With its large indoor lake, numerous exhibits, and demonstrations, the Toronto International Boat Show offers visitors an escape from winter and a chance to compare the latest makes, models, accessories, and services offered by the marine industry,” said Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Sales Marketing Manager of the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Office Erica Henry Jackman agreed.

The exhibits included the Caribbean Village, where visitors had the opportunity to view what the Caribbean has to offer.

With Antigua Sailing Week the biggest regatta in the Caribbean, the boat show offered the perfect platform to promote the twin-island destination.

“This was an extremely good week for us,” Erica Henry-Jackman told Caribarena.com. “We have definitely seen a renewed interest in Antigua as a premier destination for Canadian travellers.
The Antiguan official added that “increased attendance at the show demonstrates that the Canadian economy is rebounding” - a positive sign for her department.

There were two snow storms over the weekend, which, she said, propelled people’s interest in travelling to the Caribbean.

“With Antigua & Barbuda being the number one yachting destination of the Caribbean, we were able to showcase what we have to offer," Henry-Jackman said. “We were able to show that Antigua & Barbuda is an alternative to the snow and cold. Paradise was just four-and-a-half hours away.”

Many who visited Antigua & Barbuda’s booth had some knowledge of the country as an vacation destination, testament to the work done by the Toronto office.

“In addition, we have intensified our promotional efforts via three major publications (Canadian Yachting, Ontario Sailor [OS] and GAM, the lighter side of sailing), popular magazines in Toronto, Canada,” said Erica Henry-Jackman.

While the 2011 Antigua Sailing Week was advertised in GAM and OS, it was Mark Stevens’ 200-word feature on the destination in Canadian Yachting that was exceptionally special.
This year’s show was especially fulfilling to the tourism official.


“For the first time, at least in the past six years, we were able to address the needs of the avid Canadian sailor, since we had a member of staff with knowledge of the yachting scene in Antigua,” Erica Henry-Jackman said.

She said this further demonstrates the government’s commitment to the yachting industry in Antigua & Barbuda. Henry-Jackman also said the show will help maintain the momentum that the island have seen in arrivals from Canada.

“The numbers have increased some 87 percent from last year (2009 to 2010), which is a good sign, and we expect to maintain these numbers,” she said. “Also, we continue to see competitive pricing, with Transat Holidays Winter Charter playing its part in increasing the number of visitors to the island.”

A visitor can book an all-inclusive holiday at a top hotel for one week for $998, plus tax. Additionally, a new service out of Montreal is expected to boost arrivals.

“We also started the direct service with Air Canada out of Montreal for the first time," Henry-Jackman said. "This should improve our numbers and help in some way to boost the nation’s economy."

The week was not just about yachting, but a showcase of all Antigua & Barbuda has to offer. The official magazine and website of the Boat Show feature a picture of Halcyon Steel Orchestra, one of the nation’s premier steel bands.

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