OECS Yachting surveys completed at USA & toronto Boatshows
Among the yachtspersons likely to visit the OECS, 16% intend to visit all of theterritories of the OECS. Twenty six percent (26%) are likely to visit the BVI, 3% would like to visit Antigua and Barbuda and 3% Anguilla. One percent (1%) of yachtspersons surveyed indicate a desire to visit St. Kitts & Nevis, Grenada, CaRriacou and Petite Martinique. Less than one percent of yachtspersons intend on visiting Dominica, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines Three percent (3%) of yachtspersons were undecided at the time of the survey which country in the OECS that they would like to visit. The survey suggests therefore that the OECS capitalize on the intent of yachtspersons and promote the other destinations aggressively to sustain a greater spread of visitors throughout the region. The survey also recommends a sustained campaign to ensure that post 2015, there is an average annual increase of yachtspersons visiting the region from the US and Canadian markets.
The OECS Commission is therefore considering a recommended marketing strategy to create an awareness of less popular yachting destinations. The survey also recommends the undertaking of a comparative analysis of each yachting destination to determine their strengths and weaknesses and the reason (s) that some destinations are preferred over others.
A recommendation was also made to encourage those who are likely to visit in 2015 to make return visits. These and other recommendations from the findings have resulted from interviews with a population of yachtspersons. The sample of respondents comprises persons who visited the Eastern Caribbean Village at the United States Sailboat Show in City Dock, Annapolis, Maryland with/without prior knowledge of the OECS destination. The majority of survey respondents are owners of yachts/boats.