Black Boaters Summit is a boost to BVI economy – Blyden
BVI News correspondent - Tuesday, August 9th, 2011 at 8:18 AM
Chairman of the BVI Tourist Board Neil Blyden
Chairman of the Tourist Board Neil Blyden says the Black Boaters Summit currently taking place in the BVI will be a great financial boost for the economy.
Blyden said there are 170 people in the BVI for the 14th annual Black Boaters Summit.
He said Paul Nixon, the event’s organiser, has been sailing the BVI for more than 20 years, adding that 14 years ago (1997) he brought his first group to the BVI.
Blyden said  Nixon has a travel agency in San Francisco and in 1997  Nixon came to the BVI with five boats with more than 30 people and now he is up to 24 boats with 170 people.
The Tourist Board chairman said these people are all professionals – professors, lawyers and owners of businesses and they are having a great time.
Speaking at a special cocktail party organised by the Tourist Board at the Moorings last Friday, Blyden said, “the numbers that have come here this August we felt that we must do something to thank them and to encourage them to come back.”
He said, “they have rented cottages, cars, taxis, they are putting a good boost into the economy.”
Black Boaters' 2007 Summit (captains in white)
The special function organised by the Tourist Board featured some of the BVI’s culture including the sky dancers and festival troupes.
Blyden said such a large contingent of persons from different professions will help to promote the BVI’s tourism abroad.
“Some of them are deans of colleges, they are having a good time but they are major business people, so when they go back they are going to talk about the BVI.”
“They have their own camera crew and journalists with them. This is a major regatta with 24 boats that are being rented from the Moorings and Sunsail, so this puts a boost into the economy,” Blyden said.
While in the BVI until August 14, Blyden said they will be visiting all the islands in the BVI, taking pictures, partying just having  a good time.
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It’s nice to see the Tourist Board giving back to a group that adds so much to the economy. The article mentions that this is the 14th year for the Black Boaters Summit. I’m curious if they always come to the BVI or if they hold the summit in other locals.
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