With the current tourism season now receding, the Anguilla Tourist Board has brought its international representatives to the island for what has been dubbed “The ATB 2019 Marketing Week”.
It is a series of events not only to showcase tourism developments and opportunities in Anguilla, but to make an even stronger effort for marketing the island for the next tourism season. Marketing Week comes as Anguilla relishes its coveted vote as the Best Island in the Caribbean, for the third time in row, by the readers of the world-renowned Travel & Leisure magazine.
The week of activities started with a church service at the Maranatha Methodist Church at Blowing Point on Sunday, July 21. In addition to the congregation, the service was attended by many of Anguilla’s overseas marketing representatives; Governor Tim Foy OBE; Mr. Cardigan Connor, Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism; Mrs. Donna Banks, Chairperson of the Anguilla Tourist Board, other Board members and staff.
The lively service was conducted by the Rev. Dr. Wycherley Gumbs, Superintendent of the Anguilla Methodist Circuit. Among other matters, he challenged his listeners not only to be purpose-driven people in terms of being number one in tourism, but number one in terms of quality of life.
Mrs. Donna Banks spoke about the importance of marketing Anguilla as a tourism destination and the island’s new theme: BE. That is Beyond Extraordinary; Bespoke Experiences; Better Engagement; and Building Excitement.
She continued that theme at a full meeting of all of Anguilla’s overseas marketing representatives on the lawn of the Anguilla Tourist Board on Monday, July 22. “I welcome you to the 2019/2020 Annual Marketing Meeting of the Anguilla Tourist Board which runs from today [Monday] July 22 to Friday, July 26 under the theme ‘BE’”, she stated. “All of our overseas marketing representatives will be in Anguilla for the week to discuss plans for the upcoming year. These plans should enable the destination to achieve the goals and objectives that we set. There are a number of important events that are open to, and are designed specifically for, the wider tourism family.”
The Anguilla Tourist Board’s Chairperson continued: “Last Marketing Meeting held in September 2018, our theme was ‘Challenged to do business Unusual,’ and I believe that it what we did: enabling the Anguilla Tourist Board to play its part in the phenomenal growth of tourist arrivals for the past tourist season, and for 2019 in general thus far.
and ATB personnel at church service
“The Anguilla Tourist Board, on July 17, 2019, was again proud to be the recipient of the 2019 Travel & Leisure Award for number one destination in terms of the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda – and for the third consecutive year. I think Anguilla deserves a round of applause.”
She added: “As I said, the theme for the week is ‘BE’ – signifying a harmonious and effortless rhythm to delivering on our promise that Anguilla, as a destination, is beyond extraordinary; a harmonious and effortless rhythm to creating bespoke and luxurious travel experiences that are personalised and unique to the needs of our guests; a harmonious and effortless rhythm to actively seek out opportunities to better engage with our guests as well as our partners; and continuously, through innovative processes, help to build excitement and stir up passion for Anguilla, our home, and Anguilla as a destination of first choice for our guests.
“’BE’ sums up the work of the Anguilla Tourist Board, over the past four years, which has resulted in the restructuring of the organisation at the head office level as well as directing and re-charging the efforts of our international team. We will continue to build on our efforts to achieve even greater success.”
Mr. Cardigan Connor said Marketing Week gave Anguilla an opportunity to reflect on the past year and to look forward to the coming year. “Over the past three years, especially, from being voted as the number one island in the Caribbean by Travel & Leisure, I thought if that was the standard, there was room for improvement and that there was no reason why we should not stay in that top bracket.
“September 2017 gave us a challenge as to whether or not we were going to lie down and feel sorry for ourselves, or whether we were going to get up and rebuild. Rebuild we did, and I think that one of the reasons that made us the most attractive island still, in 2018, was the will of the people, government working with the private sector and you, our marketing representatives, who carried that positive message that Anguilla is alive and kicking. I want to thank you for that and, naturally, with being voted Best Island in the Caribbean in 2019, three times in a year, how can I not thank you again.”
The feature speaker, at the opening ceremony for Marketing Week, was famed Travel Editor, CBS Radio broadcaster and Emmy Award winner, Mr. Peter Greenberg.
During his presentation he offered a number of suggestions to Anguilla which he thought might further expose and develop the island’s tourism industry and answered several questions.
