Monday, January 01, 2007The World's Premier Sailing Destination

Lex RaasOf FirstChoice�s 1,400 boats around the world, some 400 are based in the BVI alone.

The British Virgin Islands is one of the three most popular charter sailing destinations in the world, and the most popular in the Caribbean. It is not hard to see why. The principle reasons are there for all to see: the islands’ natural beauty, the unique sailing grounds, and the year-round mild climate. There is, quite simply, no place else that is so perfectly suited for a charter yacht vacation.

But sunny weather, white beaches, and trade winds are not the only reasons why the BVI is one of the leaders in charter yacht vacations. The territory’s financial and political stability, its commitment to environmental protection, its accessibility from North America, and the quality of support services are less well-known, but equally important reasons for the BVI’s success. And future growth will require that the BVI continue on this track of stability, responsible development, and high quality services.

The story of charter yacht sailing in the BVI begins with Charlie and Ginny Carey, an American couple who in 1969 bought six Pearson 35 sailboats and began renting them to tourists. The idea proved to be a good one, and the Moorings was born. The Careys’ idea for the “complete yachting vacation” was the basis for an entire industry in the BVI, an industry which now defines the territory in the region and around the world. It is an industry which First Choice Marine, owners of Sunsail, The Moorings, Nautic Blue and Footloose, are proud to be part of.

We are especially proud of the role that the yacht ownership programme plays in our businesses. In these programmes, many of the charter boats in the fleet are owned by individuals and leased back to the company, which is responsible for maintenance, and for providing all the services related to the charters. Owners receive guaranteed payments derived from their boat’s charter income and are also entitled to use their boats for a certain number of weeks per year. In addition, owners with Sunsail and the Moorings receive reciprocal usage rights around the world at more than 70 locations.

Yacht owners generally do not invest solely for financial reasons. Buying a boat through such a programme is an investment in a lifestyle. These are individuals who love to sail and love to travel, and an investment in a charter yacht allows them to enjoy their passions. But although these investors are driven by their
interest in sailing, they are also guided by prudence: they are looking for boats which are operated by reputable companies and which are based in a destination in which they have confidence. They want a destination which is stable, has modern banking and insurance facilities, effective regulation, has a good reputation around the world and yet provides a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy when they return, year after year.

So every time you see a charter boat on the water, remember that, that boat probably represents an individual investor who has decided to put his faith in the BVI and its attractiveness to visitors. The fact that so many people have made this investment over the years speaks very highly of the BVI’s reputation in the world. And the role of yacht ownership in the charter industry is a reminder of the (importance) of the BVI maintaining its reputation for stability, responsibility, and modern thinking.

I have spent some of the best days of my life aboard charter boats in the British Virgin Islands. Running down the Channel with a strong wind at my back; tucked into a quiet anchorage at the Dogs; whiling away an afternoon with good company on Norman Island. These are the days that sailors remember, and these are the memories which make sailors come back year after year.

The BVI has earned a reputation in the Caribbean and the wider world for its “less-is-more” attitude. The people who travel here are looking for beautiful surroundings, low-key but high-quality services, and a lot of peace and quiet. For these travellers, what is not there is just as important as what is. Indeed, there seems to be near-universal preference among sailing enthusiasts for the unspoiled and natural over the overrun and overly-commercial.

This is the formula which has worked for the BVI for the last 40 years, and it will continue to work as long as it is followed. In the present BVI, this means that some attention needs to be paid to issues like carrying capacity and the availability of moorings. The charter yacht industry of the BVI is thriving, but that does not necessarily mean it should be growing in terms of fleet sizes. We do not want travellers to complain about congestion and crowding – those are the things they come here to escape.

Equally, our charter guests interact with a wide array of people and businesses when they come here: bars and restaurants, taxi drivers, retail operators, dive and water sports operators, and more. Their visits are also impacted by service providers whom they may not see: mechanics, chandleries, riggers, provisioners, fuel suppliers, and more. In short, our guests’ experiences are a reflection of more than just their interactions with us. The entire BVI community bears responsibility for ensuring that we achieve excellence with all of our guests.

I am pleased, therefore, by the Tourist Board’s recent implementation of the Tourism Industry Service Standards programme. This programme has the support of First Choice Marine, and I am certain, the wider charter industry as well. We have long recognised that it is not just a matter of us doing our jobs well—we rely on the entire tourism and hospitality industry to represent the BVI to our visitors.

Like our colleagues in industries as far-ranging as health care, automobiles, and financial services, we in the charter yacht industry are facing changes related to the rise of the baby boomer. One of these changes is that in recent years, charter yacht sailors have begun to demand greater comforts. I remember the days when sailors were happy with a cooler and a few blocks of ice. Today, these same sailors expect boats fully equipped with freezers, refrigerators, air-conditioning, blenders and an assortment of other small luxuries. And as a significant portion of our market continues to age, we anticipate further changes.

Nautic Blue is working on a line of power cats for sailors who still love the water but are tired of pulling sails. This line would be similarly equipped as our sailing catamarans, but powered by a quiet and unobtrusive engine. For those who still prefer sails, we expect that catamarans will continue to be very popular for their spaciousness and remarkable stability.

We can also expect to see a number of key improvements to our facilities in Road Town. Just as the BVI is the charter boat capital of the world, we intend for our Road Town facility to be the charter boat capital of the BVI. This is important, because as I said earlier, today’s travellers have escalating expectations: regular strategic investment is critical.

The allegiance among the Moorings, Sunsail, Nautic Blue and Footloose under the First Choice banner has led to certain economies of scale in some areas of our operations, the purchase of boats, for example. But while each brand is benefiting from this relationship, they each also remain a distinct identity in the market. Our brands compete with one another just as strongly as ever, and the cost-savings that we do realise through common ownership free resources which can be used to improve the level of service which we provide. It is an ownership structure that works well for us, and for the BVI.

The charter yacht industry is important to the future of the BVI. Charter yacht sailing is the backbone of the BVI tourism industry, and the tourism industry is the backbone of the BVI. Equally, the BVI is important to the future of First Choice Marine and the charter boat companies which we represent. Of First Choice’s 1,400 boats around the world, some 400 are based in the BVI alone. That is nearly 30 percent of our world-wide fleet. That is just how important the BVI is to us.

Clearly then, as goes the BVI, so goes the charter yacht industry. And as goes the charter yacht industry, so goes the BVI. We are—quite simply put—in this thing together. Over the years our companies have enjoyed a positive relationship with the community and the government of the BVI, and these are relationships which we value deeply. They are also relationships which could always be improved. I have been heartened in recent years by the commitment shown by the government to attract investment to the BVI, to address long-standing issues in the community, and to engage in dialog with the business community. First Choice stands ready to provide assistance in any way we can to help strengthen the BVI community, and we hope that cooperation will be the spirit that defines our relationships with community and government.

In sailing, teamwork is critical. All members of a crew have to work together so that the yacht stays on course and so that everyone stays safe and happy. Teamwork is also a requirement for the future of the BVI charter yacht industry: the industry, the workers, the government and the community must work in common cause so we all stay on course.

Oyster Publications Inc, PO box 3369, Road Town Tortola, British Virgin Islands, VG1110