Antigua Sailing Week 2021 To Spur Economic Upswing
As the world continues to collectively deal with the economic impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic, governments are looking for ways to spur stalled economies. Tourist-heavy countries were vastly impacted by the long-term elimination of tourism activity throughout several months. Among those countries, the Caribbean twin islands of Antigua and Barbuda were certainly affected by these limitations. As flight restrictions begin to lift, and hospitality-based industries slowly open up, government officials look to the future to restore Antigua and Barbuda’s sprawling tourism industry. Among the top attractions, Antigua Sailing Week is currently set to resume in 2021. Community leaders, like Asot Michael, are touting this highly anticipated event as a means of welcoming Antigua and Barbuda back into the global economy and reclaiming the country’s stance as a revered destination.
Early Preparation
To prepare for such a vast annual event, Sailing Week teams assemble months ahead of the annual event. They begin to generate thorough plans, layout safety precautions and create roadmaps of all facets leading up to the upcoming event. To prepare for 2021’s Sailing Week, the teams are already hard at work. According to community leaders like Asot Michael, “Antigua Sailing Week is a huge event, and requires the cooperation, dedication, and motivation of a myriad of people.” This year, the professionals will have to adhere to new protocols, and create new safety measures and proactive safety nets to ensure smooth operations.
Proactive Safety Precautions
To appropriately uphold all federal and local guidelines, protective measures will guide 2021’s Sailing Week. Asot Michael reminds fans and participants alike that “plans will likely change as conditions evolve, with the safety and enjoyment of all parties given the utmost priority and respect.”
Leadership for Antigua Sailing Week 2021 is collaborating with the Caribbean Sailing Association and other regional regattas. Together, these organizations are working alongside healthcare experts to determine the best courses of action to ensure a safe, pleasant, and successful series of events. With a goal of generating viable programming for a successful event, organizers are looking to the success of Antigua Sailing Week 2021 to spur the tourism industry that has been diminished in recent months.
Recently, the collaborating parties have created a bespoke survey to assess the needs, interests, and concerns of participants. This survey will look at participant and visitor concerns, and will actively work to mitigate concerns to allow for a successful participatory capacity for all interested parties. The results of the survey, as well as all updates, are regularly shared via the event’s many multimedia platforms.
Antigua Sailing Week 2021
As of October 2020, Antigua Sailing Week 2021 is scheduled to feature a week of competitive sailing between April 24th to April 30th. To date, roughly 70 boats have been entered into the competition, with international competitors hailing from homeports in the United States, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.
Though changes are to be expected, a provisional schedule has already been released. The 53rd annual Sailing Week will kick off with a “Racing Rules of Sailing” seminar, followed by socially distanced Opening Ceremonies. The second day will feature the highly-anticipated Peters & May Round Antigua Race and Prize Ceremony. April 25th will highlight the English Harbour Rum Race, to be followed by a Prize Giving. The following day will see the Women's Race Day, with winners announced in a Prize Ceremony.
Half-way through the week, ASW Race Day will then make way for Wadadli Beer Lay Day. April 29th is scheduled to feature the Y2K Race Day and will be capped off with a Captain’s Cocktail event. The event will finish with the highly-anticipated ASW Race Day and Final Awards.
Friends of ASW Fundraising
The 2020 cancellation of Antigua Sailing Week created an impact for the local economy and the Friends of ASW non-profit organization. To offset losses, and generate a thriving fundraising campaign for 2021, the Friends of ASW organization has launched a fundraising program. Supporters can donate funds on various “supporter levels”, with all funds being utilized to directly aid local residents. Individual Race Supporter donations will be leveraged to pay for the support boats needed for the ASW event. Individual Chaser donations will be used to charter the catamarans to ensure the “chase trip” can be effectively completed. Finally, Corporate Regatta Supporter funds will be utilized to fully equip the volunteers working throughout the event.
The Financial Impact Of Successful Events
The financial success of this event, and other large-scale internationally-drawing events held in Antigua and Barbuda, can have a powerful impact on the local economy. First, an influx of travellers will bolster the hospitality industry. Participants in the event, as well as fans and viewers, will generate a strong presence within hotels, revitalizing the hotel industry after months of vastly lowered numbers. As a committed community leader, Asot Michael has seen the snowball effect that a rise in hospitality operations can bring to the rest of the community. Speaking on this, Michael reported, “when an influx of tourists increases hotel capacity, hospitality employees generate more wealth, which is spent in the hyperlocal economy. Additionally, heightened tourism activity bolsters restaurant jobs, commercial jobs, and retail positions.”
Antigua and Barbuda’s residents, government leaders, and community organizers all look forward to regaining the robust tourism and activity industries that make up a large portion of the local economy. Through the successful execution of events like Antigua Sailing Week, Antigua and Barbuda can safely enjoy an upswing in the hyperlocal economy in the upcoming year.
