THREE OECS DESTINATIONS SET SAIL FOR THE 2026 FORT LAUDERDALE INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

The collaborative initiative brings together the three national tourism authorities, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission and the Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC) Project. Their joint participation in the 2026 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS), scheduled for October 28 to November 1, 2026, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, provides an opportunity to promote the destinations collectively to the international yachting market.

Three Islands, One Yachting Destination

At the heart of this collaboration is a shared vision: to promote Grenada, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as complementary destinations that together offer an exceptional Eastern Caribbean yachting experience.

Together, the three destinations offer an extensive range of experiences, including marinas and anchorages, secluded bays and beaches, diving and snorkelling sites, coastal communities, marine and land-based excursions, culinary experiences, cultural attractions and an expanding network of marine tourism services.

By promoting these offerings collectively, the initiative seeks to encourage longer stays, greater movement between destinations and increased visitor spending across the region.

The collaboration also highlights the economic potential yachting tourism holds beyond marinas and charter operations. Increased yacht and charter traffic can generate opportunities for local businesses, including, tour operators, dive businesses, restaurants, accommodation providers, transportation services, marine technicians, artisans and other micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

Natasha Deterville-Moise, Officer-in-Charge, OECS Economic Development Unit stated,

“The Eastern Caribbean has an exceptional yachting offering, and through collaboration, we can showcase our islands’ distinctive experiences and strengthen the region’s profile as a premier multi-destination yachting destination. Our successful participation in previous yachting events has demonstrated the value of working together, enabling Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada to highlight their individual strengths while promoting the wider appeal of the Eastern Caribbean. At FLIBS, we look forward to building on this momentum, engaging the international boating and yachting community, and creating new opportunities for our destinations, tourism businesses, and the region as a whole.”

Strengthening the Eastern Caribbean’s International Presence

The joint promotion at FLIBS builds on earlier collaborative participation in two major international yachting events: the Annapolis Boat Show in October 2025 and the 64th Antigua Charter Yacht Show in December 2025.

These engagements provided opportunities to introduce the destinations to yacht owners, charter brokers, captains and other marine tourism professionals, while strengthening industry relationships and promoting the Eastern Caribbean as a connected sailing destination.

Participation in FLIBS 2026 builds on these engagements and represents a further step in this coordinated regional marketing effort.

Recognised as the world’s largest in-water boat show, ​ FLIBS attracts more than 100,000 attendees and brings together leading marine businesses, yacht owners, charter professionals and boating enthusiasts. The event provides a valuable platform to showcase the destinations’ combined offerings and encourage the inclusion of multiple OECS islands in Caribbean Sailing itineraries.

More broadly, the partnership demonstrates how regional collaboration can strengthen the visibility and competitiveness of smaller destinations in the international tourism marketplace.

Supporting Sustainable Marine Tourism and the Blue Economy

The participation is being supported through the Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC) Project, a World Bank-funded initiative implemented regionally by the OECS Commission in Grenada, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

UBEC seeks to strengthen the enabling environment for the sustainable development of the Blue Economy, with interventions spanning key sectors including marine and coastal tourism, fisheries and waste management.

The joint destination promotion at FLIBS forms part of Component 1 of UBEC – Strengthening Governance, Policies and Capacity Building of the Project, which focuses on strengthening governance, policies, ​ and institutional environment necessary for sustainable Blue Economy development, including sustainable tourism.

The initiative also complements ongoing work of the OECS Economic Development Unit, to implement its new OECS Sustainable Tourism Policy, which aims to support economic transformation while promoting environmental sustainability, social inclusion and resilience-building across OECS Member States.

This approach recognises that the long-term growth of marine tourism must go hand-in-hand with the protection of the natural resources on which the industry depends.

For Small Island Developing States such as Grenada, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, healthy oceans and coastal environments are not only environmental assets; they underpin livelihoods, employment, entrepreneurship, tourism investment and economic resilience.

Discover the Eastern Caribbean at FLIBS 2026

Discover the diverse yachting, marine tourism and coastal experiences of Grenada, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at the 2026 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show from October 28 to November 1. Visit the team at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center, Booths 866, 867, 67A and 868, to explore the unique attractions of each destination and discover the possibilities of an unforgettable, multi-island sailing adventure in the Eastern Caribbean.

Three islands. One extraordinary yachting destination.

About UBEC

The Unleashing the Blue Economy of the Caribbean (UBEC) Project is a World Bank-funded initiative being implemented in Grenada, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, with regional coordination by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Commission.

The Project supports the sustainable development of the region's Blue Economy by strengthening governance and institutional capacity, supporting sustainable fisheries and marine tourism, improving waste management, strengthening MSMEs and promoting sustainable use of marine and coastal resources.

Through its interventions, UBEC seeks to generate economic opportunities and strengthen livelihoods while ensuring that the Caribbean's marine and coastal resources are sustainably managed for future generations.