Caribbean-Based Horizon Yacht Charters Awards Free Week Sailing Vacation in Antigua at Toronto Boat Show, 2005

The Antigua & Barbuda Department of Tourism Board, in association with Horizon Yacht Charters, Antigua, promoted the prime destination of Antigua at the 47th annual Toronto Boat Show which took place from January 15th - 23rd, 2005. A grand prize draw of a weeks sailing vacation with Horizon in Antigua was the main pull for the hundreds of visitors to the stand. Mr. Robert Hayes, of Ontario, was the lucky winner to be drawn at the close of the show by Mr. Eric Williams of the Antigua & Barbuda Department of Tourism and Mr. Andrew Thompson of Horizon Yacht Charters.

Jolly Harbour, Antigua February 16, 2005 -- Mr. Hayes can look forward to sampling the delights of the Leeward Islands and some of the finest sailing in the world courtesy of Horizon Yacht Charters, Antigua, said Mr. Thompson.

The Toronto Boat Show, attracting over 100,000 water enthusiasts, is one of the largest boat shows in North America. The event hosted hundreds of exhibitors from across the US, Canada and a select few from the Caribbean including Horizon Yacht Charters and the Antigua & Barbuda Department of Tourism.

There was the usual strong interest in the British Virgin Islands for chartering, but the attraction of new cruising grounds, and direct flights meant Antigua & Barbuda and Grenada & the Grenadines, were also high on the agenda.

For the second consecutive year, the boat show coincided with the coldest week of the year in Toronto. Plummeting to a brisk -36C, and with an almost balmy high of -4C, the extreme weather was not enough to keep the hardy Canadians away.

With the National Hockey League in disarray and no hockey to watch, and the buoyant Canadian dollar, at 1.2 to the US$, the Canadians were out in force. They were less interested in the size of the discount and much more interested in the size of the yacht! added Mr. Thompson.

Patrick Festing-Smith, owner of Nanuk of the North, a Beneteau 505 in the Horizon fleet in the BVI, and Mango Yacht Charters brokerage in Oakville, Ontario, lured the chilled locals with daily weather reports of 27C, and consistent 15 20 knot trade-winds in the Islands. It was too much for several visitors who took advantage of Horizon Yacht Charters on the spot discount and secured themselves a vacation in paradise there and then.

For the first time, there was a Bavaria yacht at the show, and this fuelled extra interest in tax free yacht purchase from Horizon, who are the Caribbean dealers for Bavaria yachts, both for private use, and for charter placement.

Horizon Yacht Charters has a fleet of 38 yachts in the BVI, 12 yachts in the Grenadines and 10 yachts in the one year old Antigua & Barbuda base, with a number of yachts under private management. Horizon is the Caribbean dealer for Bavaria Yachts and approved agent for Fountaine Pajot catamarans. For further information on Horizon Yacht Charters, its bases and fleets visit: http://www.horizonyachtcharters.com or e-mail: e-mail protected from spam bots.

For further information please contact:
Sofia Fay
Horizon Yacht Charters (BVI)
Tel: (284) 494 8787
E-mail: e-mail protected from spam bots

To download high resolution image:
http://www.broadswordcommunications.com/downloads/HYC_Toronto/index.htm

Issued for and on behalf of Horizon Yacht Charters by Alastair Abrehart, Broadsword Communications, E-mail: e-mail protected from spam bots

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