The Valley, Anguilla —Tuesday, November 26, 2013—Anguilla will observe its annual Tourism Week from November 30th to December 6th, 2013, under the theme, “Embracing our Diversity, Celebrating our Community”.
The Week of Activities begins on Saturday, November 30th with the popular Valley Street Festival at the People’s Market in The Valley from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. A Service of Thanksgiving will be held on Sunday 1st December at 9:00 am at the Church of God of Prophecy in West End, followed by the Opening Ceremony and Brunch at the Old Caribe Restaurant of the Anguilla Great House Beach Resort. The keynote address will be given by Reverend Dr. Wycherley Gumbs, a noted historian, educator, author and lecturer who is currently serving as the Superintendent Minister of the Anguilla Methodist Church. A number of educational and awareness initiatives are also planned for the week, including an Employee Development workshop for Frontline Personnel in partnership with the Anguilla Community College and Ms. Tahirah Banks of Dream Supreme, and a Tourism Panel discussion for the Youth of the ALHCS hosted by Anguilla’s Junior Minister of Tourism, Mr Malik Richards, and featuring presentations by Junior Ministers of Tourism from St. Martin, St. Maarten and Anguilla. Returning to this year’s program will be the highly participative Tourism Zumba at the Louis Price gym at 5:00 pm on Thursday December 5th under the direction of Mrs Tanya Richardson. Refreshments and an address by Mr Louis Price will round out the evening’s activity. This year’s activities will culminate with the annual Tourism Gala and Industry Awards Ceremony which will take place on Friday December 6th, 2013 at Viceroy’s Coba Restaurant. Entertainment will be provided by the illustrious jazz vocalist, Jaine Rogers, while the After-Party will take place at Sunset Lounge with DJ Sugar.
According to Director of Tourism, Mrs Candis Niles, Tourism Week has historically been regarded as a time when the tourism and hospitality sectors can officially recognize and celebrate various aspects of tourism which have helped Anguilla to compete in a global leisure market where the stakes are as high as the players are numerous.
“Our theme this year draws attention to the various dimensions of the overall tourism product and the importance of adapting that product to the changing needs of our economy and our markets, even as we acknowledge the contribution that our most precious resource, our people, make to the authenticity of the vacation experience. Anguilla has always enjoyed a deep sense of community, and this has inevitably become an integral part of the island’s appeal as a destination. In fact, it is probably the principal reason why our visitors, who usually come for the first time because of our beaches, choose to return to us again and again as friends and treasured guests. As we continue to chart Anguilla’s development into the 21st century it is our challenge to strike an effective balance between the needs of the market and the needs of our people, whilst at the same time maintaining the essential elements that make us who we are as a people and as a destination. The ATB is committed to working with the Ministry of Tourism and the AHTA to ensure that the necessary developmental steps can be formulated and implemented as we seek to deliver on our brand promise, “Tranquility wrapped in Blue.”
Tourism Week is organized jointly by the Anguilla Tourist Board and the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association, in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism. Working in tandem with Anguilla’s local hospitality and tourism sector, and the overseas Market Representatives in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Puerto Rico and Latin America, Anguilla is promoted as the Caribbean’s premier, exclusive, quality vacation experience, offering a range of accommodation options that are accessible to all; a superlative culinary experience; a rich cultural heritage that reflects the warmth and friendliness of the Anguillian people: in short a unique and authentic vacation experience that embodies Tranquility wrapped in Blue .
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
