A little Disney 4D would probably be a handy addition to enhance this week’s “Sailing Week Sunday” event (April 25), but, alas, sailing – and Antigua and Barbuda – fans may have to splash a little water on their own faces to maximize their virtual Antigua Sailing Week experience. However, the island’s tourist board will do the rest, even going so far as to offer the opportunity for participants to win a future trip to the sunny Caribbean islands.
With this year’s physical event cancelled due to the pandemic and plans already underway for next year (April 30-May 6, 2022), Sailing Week Sunday 2021 aims to “reconnect with an audience who are long-time supporters and participants of Antigua Sailing Week, their friends who have heard great things about it, as well as fans of the sport and the destination – any of whom may be considering Antigua & Barbuda as an active or leisure vacation option,” say organizers.
Event manager Rana Lewis stated, “In the void created by the 2020 cancellation we relied on social media flashbacks to previous years to maintain visibility and our spot on the calendar. After the cancellation of 2021, we sensed the need to interact with our worldwide audience in real time while sharing the highlights of racing in Antigua & Barbuda. Essentially it is our way of extending an invitation to come as soon as is safely possible to race, chase, and celebrate with us.”
Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority CEO Colin James adds that the flagship event for the islands “plays an important role within the yachting pillar of our tourism marketing strategy.”
The virtual two-hour hour event – to be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube starting at 4 p.m. AST (3 p.m. EST) – will feature stories, interviews, and entertainment, and participants will also have the chance to win one of two grand prize trips for two to stay at the five-star Carlisle Bay resort for four nights (flights from Canada included).
Additionally, following the tourism authority will virtually host the Antigua Sailing Week Lay Day on April 28 via social media channel facebook.com/AntiguaBarbuda.
Further initiatives will also be announced through the week on social media.