After government officials attended a boat show in Monaco in late September, representatives from the Virgin Islands continued to market the territory as a top sailing destination last weekend at the Annapolis Sailboat Show in Maryland.
The Annapolis show — which takes place every October and features sailboats from around the world — was held Oct. 12 to 15.
A team from the BVI Tourist Board and Film Commission led a contingent of at least 20 marine industry partners, including representatives from BVI Yacht Charters, Conch Charters, the BVI Spring Regatta, the Bitter End Yacht Club, The Moorings, and BVI Yacht Sales, according to a BVITBFC press release issued a day before the event started.
Activities
The team’s agenda included several activities over the weekend, including “Happy Hour in Paradise” last Saturday.
“The BVI will bring its happy hour experience to the sailboat show as guests sway to the sounds of live island entertainment while being [transported] to the shores of the BVI with toes in the sand and local sips in hand,” the release stated.
Other activities included an in-booth selfie station, where guests were encouraged to create “Instagrammable moments”; in-booth giveaways, including a two-night stay at Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina; and a raffle for a seven-day charter aboard a Moorings 4500 catamaran with airfare for two guests, according to the BVITBFC.
“We are anticipating a great turnout to the show and are happy to share these exciting opportunities with our prospective guests at one of our most important trade shows, as we continue to cement our position as the sailing capital of the world,” BVITBFC Business Development Director for North America Perla George said in the press release. “We are confident we will create more ambassadors for BVI tourism through our various activities at the show.”