The stakes are high for Anguilla to be the recipient of a third consecutive award for being the best tourism destination in the Caribbean. This is notwithstanding the current downward trend in the number of visitors to the island – as the industry has now entered its slow period.
Positive and foresight thinker, Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism, Mr. Cardigan Connor, has no doubt about Anguilla’s popularity as a choice of destination in the Caribbean, even at this time.
“Tourism in Anguilla is doing very well,” he told The Anguillian newspaper on Monday, June 24. “I think if you consider where we were, back in 2017, after Hurricane Irma, how we rebounded very quickly overall to be awarded number one after September 2017; retaining it in 2018 – and there is a suspicion that we will be at that pinnacle in 2019 as well.
“Our numbers have been better than they ever have been since the records began. In infrastructure, despite the challenges after Hurricane Irma, we made some good adjustments. My colleague, Mr. Curtis Richardson, the Acting Premier, has worked very hard to be able to have a facility at Blowing Point bringing in the sort of numbers of visitors that Anguilla has never had before.
“That tells you that, under trying circumstances, we have done very well; and that there has been a public/private partnership where Government, business owners and, of course the Anguillian public, have worked together in order to ensure that we maintain that number one status. I am very happy where we are but of course there is always room for improvement.”
Mr. Connor continued: “It is sad that this season’s tourism is winding down but I suppose this is something that we have understood over the years. We are looking to tap into the South American market to get direct flights from mainland USA. That is one of certain initiatives, we have not had before, that would allow us to extend our tourism season – not just from six to eight months but at least to ten months of the year. I believe that for an industry, like tourism, you need a time out, you need a break; but I think for us to have tourism on a consistent basis is exactly what we are striving for.”
On the question of planned direct flights to Anguilla by an American carrier from Miami, Mr. Connor explained: “That again, is a plan that a process is in place. This is a partnership with Government working with private stakeholders. Whatever we in Anguilla need to do at the airport is a matter involving the Ministry of Infrastructure where the role is being played. We are doing pretty well and there is a lot of interest.
“Anguilla has been doing very well in the marketplace so the interest is there. The number of celebrities, private planes and the investment coming to Anguilla say to the outside world that Anguilla, in the Caribbean, is the place that worth investing in.”
