The Anguilla Tourist Board and the Anguilla Air and Seaports Authority continued their collaborative efforts to promote Anguilla as a destination to the Yachting community at Boot Düsseldorf, Germany from January 23rd -30th. The Anguilla Tourist Board was represented by Mrs Twyla Richardson-Thomas, Marketing Officer and The Anguilla Air and Seaports Authority by Ms Simone Connor, Director and Yacht Agent .
Anguilla participated in the Boot Düsseldorf Boat Show from January 23 to January 26, 2016 as part of a 6 country collective spearheaded by the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Commission. This follows two other successful joint promotional activities in the United States and Canada, respectively. The aim of the OECS Commission in this instance was to coordinate the joint representation of the OECS in order to increase the visibility of the region in the European market.
The Boot Düsseldorf Tradeshow now in its 47th year is the largest watersport trade show in the world. This year the show attracted over 247, 000 visitors from 52 countries. Exhibitions included 1,800 boats and yachts, the latest trend sports like wakeboarding and skimboarding as well as kitesurfing, diving, fishing, canoeing and cruising. The offering spread out over 17 exhibition halls presented a comprehensive picture of the watersport industry. Water sports enthusiasts were extremely impressed, with 97.5 per cent giving boot Düsseldorf 2016 top marks.
Sailing and sailing boats are traditionally the most popular segment of boot and remain the primary focus for visitors to Boot Dusseldorf. They are followed in second place by motor boats, which are in turn followed by diving and accessories/equipment. Boot Director Goetz-Ulf Jungmichel stated that another very impressive feature is the strong interest in luxury yachts, which shows that the host city Düsseldorf has exactly the right clientele for this high-price segment.” The “Cruise Pavilion” with a wide range of cruise options made it possible to book directly and was popular amongst visitors too.
The goal of the Anguilla delegation was to offer up Anguilla as a bonafide and unique yachting destination despite the absence of a yacht marina on the island. Much focus was placed on our offshore cay attractions, beaches, watersport activities such as kitesurfing and SUP, and our dive and snorkeling sites; in addition to our world class restaurants, award winning accommodations, and thriving arts and culture scene. The Captains look book which was designed in preparation for this show proved to be a very useful tool with strong images and a yachting specific map. Individuals who shared their plans to sail to Anguilla in the very near future were given flash drives containing yachting specific information to assist them on their journey.
The Boot Düsseldorf was a very good opportunity to reach out for the yachting and sailing market and many meetings with new potential clients to visit Anguilla. The show provided the opportunity for the destination to intensify and re-new co-operations with yacht charter companies; make new contacts with yacht charter companies and dedicated press. Further opportunity to get Anguilla mentioned in the press. A press mailing from the ATB Representative in Germany was made to 279 travel journalists and watersports trade publications listed at Boot’s website.
