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POINTE XPRESS: With falling participation in the annual Antigua Sailing Week (ASW) over the last several years, the Ministry of Tourism is following industry advice by introducing a second sailing regatta in March, 2027.
Tourism Minister, Charles Max Fernandez, said the ministry brought in industry experts to undertake a study of the reasons behind the declining participation by the large maxi yachts in Antigua Sailing Week.
According to Fernandez, this trend became apparent since 2019, however, the government did not just sit on its laurels; it quickly took steps to not only understand the root causes of the lowering numbers, but what could be done to reverse it.
He disclosed that the study found that many of the large yachts leave the region in mid-April to travel to the Mediterranean to participate in a series of races in that part of the world.
“We have less of these vessels sticking around in the Caribbean by the time AWS comes around at the end of April as the vessels leave for Europe. Then, twenty years ago, Antigua and Barbuda was clearly the leader in regattas in the region.
Now practically every island has a regatta of its own so there is much more competition for the remaining yachts,” he explained.
The minister noted that the new regatta will cater for the larger maxi yachts as they have a larger crew who are expected to spend significant sums in the country during the regatta.
Fernandez noted that ASW will continue as its original idea was to extend the tourist season.
However, there are several suggestions on the table on how best to maximize the benefits from this event that is now more than 50 years old and to rebrand it for the future.
Meanwhile, the tourism minister noted that while the number of yachts taking art in ASW has dropped to 56 this year, down from over 300 at the height of its popularity, there are now more yachts that are coming to the country than before.
This is because of the several regattas such as the RORC races with which the government has signed a four-year deal this year.
Fernandez said the new regatta will take place in 2027 as the ministry and its partners will need the extra time to identify a major sponsor and to undertake a massive marketing campaign.
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Thank you for noticing I am looking forward to 2027.
Instead of introducing more, maybe fix whats happening now? This year, races have been cancelled, events are still disorganized, etc. Its just very boring, nothiing exciting.
Also, it doesn’t help that Antigua even stole a yacht (Alfa Nero). I don’t think any other island can boast about that one.
STOP WITH THE LIES!!!! Antigua did NOT steal any yacht!