The start of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) on Sunday has created another opportunity for showcasing the island’s thriving tourism and marine and yachting industries when the participants arrive in Saint Lucia.
Organisers say the ARC, an annual transatlantic sailing event, is much more than just a race but represents a significant boost to the island’s economy and highlights the unique offerings of Saint Lucia as a premier destination for sailors, tourists, and investors alike.
There are 234 yachts crossing the ocean from Gran Canaria to the Caribbean with the ARC and ARC+ rallies.
Organisers say the ARC, an annual transatlantic sailing event, is much more than just a race but represents a significant boost to the island’s economy and highlights the unique offerings of Saint Lucia as a premier destination for sailors, tourists, and investors alike.
Louis Lewis, CEO of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, highlighted the event’s importance, saying, “It’s a race that annually comes to Saint Lucia, and it’s very important for one of the segments in which we operate, which is the yachting and marine area. It really adds to the economic benefits of tourism.”
He further emphasised the long-term impact of the event on the island, noting, “I have known some people who have come here, participated in the race, and stayed for extended periods. I know people who have actually purchased villas and houses here. They continuously return.”
The event also draws families and friends of participants, contributing to local businesses. Lewis explained, “The number of participants in the race is more than the people who are traveling on the boat. Sometimes they have families who come across before the race participants get here. And they spend money, and, you know, they come across their friends… So it really has a significant and important economic spin for us as a country.”
Beyond its economic impact, the ARC serves as an opportunity to showcase Saint Lucia’s culture. This year, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority has introduced new initiatives to enhance participants’ experiences. “We are trying to find more ways to give a wider visibility of what’s available to the participants,” said Lewis.
The festivities include cultural presentations, interactive activities, and entertainment at the Rodney Bay Marina, the headquarters of the event. Notably, a fish fry in Anse La Raye has been planned as part of the week’s events. Lewis encouraged locals to join, stating, “We’d like to encourage people to come see and be part of the vibe that happens at the end of the year.”
Sean Devaux, General Manager of IGY Rodney Bay Marina, expressed pride in the marina’s role in hosting the event. He remarked, “This year, it’s a little different. We’re expecting about 147 boats, over 900 souls, but that doesn’t take into consideration the arrivals of family and stuff like that.”
Devaux emphasised Saint Lucia’s strategic location as a gateway to the marine industry: “We as a destination are ideally located because of all the airlift, because of the support services for the boats, and because we are very geographically located in terms of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, which is a great cruising ground, and then you have Martinique just at the north.”
To further solidify Saint Lucia’s appeal, the marina introduced a year-long discount for participants. “We’re not just offering the discount to the participants for that period that they’re on the island, but actually for one full calendar year,” Devaux explained. “We encourage them to make Saint Lucia their home where they stay for years and years.”
With 145 participants from diverse nationalities, this year’s ARC promises to be a vibrant celebration. Lewis acknowledged the growing support for the event, saying, “We haven’t got the same level of sponsorship as we’ve had in previous years,” but said it is encouraging to see that so many sponsors are coming back.
Photo: Penny Oyster (GBR) crosses the line in Saint Lucia at the end of ARC 2023
