SEPTEMBER 2014
CARIBBEAN COMPASS
PAGE 6
Win a Yacht Charter or a Resort Stay Please support education, school libraries and new books for Eastern Caribbean children by making a donation and entering the American Sailing Association/ Hands Across the Sea sweepstakes during the month of September. You could win a yacht charter or a resort stay! Details are at http://asa.com/hands-across-thesea.php and www.handsacrossthesea.net. Martinique to Join OECS The application by the French Caribbean Overseas Regions to join the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) was on the agenda of the 59th meeting of the OECS Authority held in St. Vincent & the Grenadines on July 26th. The addition of the French islands would be an asset to the OECS’s plans to develop the yachting sector in the sub-region. Last year the OECS announced that an action plan would be developed “to create an enabling environment that will contribute to optimizing the economic benefits derived from yachting as a key niche in the region’s tourism industry”. Programme Officer at the OECS Secretariat Dr Loraine Nicholas said, “In light of the archipelagic configuration of the OECS region, comprising small islands in close proximity to each other, and linked by arguably some of the best sailing waters in the world, yachting is a prime niche sector in tourism that can be developed and promoted jointly in the OECS.” The OECS is currently a group of nine English-speaking countries that promotes
cooperation in defense, international diplomacy, economic and sustainable development policies. As the islands gained their independence from Britain it became evident that there was need for a more formal arrangement to assist with their development efforts. So it was that the OECS was established. The OECS currently CHRIS DOYLE
—Continued from previous page Start by finding a WiFi location or 3G, visit the App store (Apple) or play store (Android) and download. The Apps can be used anywhere, even when you are offline, with no roaming fees. Features include a detailed digital map of each island with icons that designate Points of Interest. The map first locates your current location and then shows you what is nearby. Next you can chart your destination from your location and now you have directions. Each POI has five images, making it easy to tap on a picture and find out more about the venue. Each POI has hot links for quick access to websites, e-mail and the phone number for your destination. Say you’re in Grenada and you want to go to Art Fabrik from Prickly Bay: simply search for Art Fabrik in the search bar or find it under the shopping label, go to the map, get directions, even call ahead to schedule a tour of their batiking process, all in one easy to use App. More islands are coming on stream, including Barbados, Antigua, St Martin and Trinidad & Tobago before the end of year. Each iLand Guide Destination will feature a Facebook page with local “appvertisers” news and offers. For more information and free download visit www.facebook.com/ilandguidegrenada, www.facebook.com/ilandguidestlucia or www.ilandguidecaribbean.com.
comprises Antigua & Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, and St Vincent & the Grenadines. Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands are associate members. At the July meeting, the Heads of Government noted the progress made to date on the ongoing negotiations with Martinique, the state of preparedness of Guadeloupe to commence negotiations, and the request of St. Martin for associate membership of the OECS. The Authority expressed satisfaction with the progress made thus far with the negotiations in relation to Martinique’s accession and underscored its interest in an early and successful conclusion to the negotiations. The Authority therefore agreed that the sixtieth (60th) meeting of the OECS Authority would be the occasion for signature of the Agreement admitting Martinique to Associate Membership of the OECS. The sixtieth (60th) Meeting of the OECS Authority will be held in the Commonwealth of Dominica in November 2014. Welcome Aboard! In this issue of Caribbean Compass we welcome new advertisers Astilleros Amilibia of Spain and Puerto Rico, on page 17; KVR Energy Ltd of Trinidad, on page 10; the Saint Lucia Tourist Board, on page 26; and the World Creole Music Festival of Dominica, on page 23. Good to have you with us!