Every fall yacht brokers from around the globe converge on
Tortola to attend the Charter Yacht Society Boat Show.
This year was the 23rd event and
Village Cay Marina, where the show is held, was packed with gorgeous yachts,
well-dressed crews and anxious brokers trying to make this the best charter
season the BVI has had in years.
Beginning on November 8th -11th the show
is a platform for brokers hailing from the
United States, Canada and Europe to meet the crews and assess their
specifications. Brokers then match
vacationers with a yacht that suits them; solidifying relationships with
brokers can make a season for a charter operator.
Each yacht hopes for at least 20 weeklong charters per season –
bringing in hopefully $1,200 – $3,000 per passenger.
However, the week
wasn’t all business. Village Cay’s bar was packed all week and CYS had many
events planned to satisfy their visiting guests. Monday, the 8th, brought the viewing of yachts and a
Welcome Reception at the HLSCC Center for Applied Marine Studies where the
history of Tortola Sloops headed the event, hosted by the Minister of Tourism
and the BVI Tourist Board.Tuesday
evening brokers enjoyed refreshments and a taste of Caribbean jazz on the M/V
Corinthian, an annual event sponsored by the Bitter End Yacht Club and always
enjoyed.A “Taste of Tortola” followed
with bite size specialties from restaurants, resorts and private caterers
throughout the BVI featuring entertainment by "Pan Vibes" and
sponsored by Village Cay.Wednesday
evening a ferry took the group to Norman Island for a buffet dinner at Pirates
Bight, a new addition to the schedule that seemed to be greatly enjoyed by
brokers.Both Paul Carrell, dock
manager of VCM, and Janet Oliver of CYS said that the show was most
successful.It appears that 2005 may be
the best chartering season of the decade.
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