Tourism in Anguilla, which promised in January and February to have a bumper season this year, is now at its lowest ebb due to the lockdown of the island’s borders, in March, to stop the spread of the coronavirus. virus. With the industry, the island’s economy and employment at a virtual standstill, as a result, and no local cases of the virus, the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association is moving to have at least a phased reopening of some villas to tourists.
That effort was conveyed in a recent letter from the President of the Hotel and Tourism Association, Mr. Kevin Carty, to its members. The letter, dated June 5, 2020, just came to hand at The Anguillian newspaper.
Mr. Carty stated in part: “We met with a representative of one of our members, Mr. Ira Bloom, regarding an initiative looking at the possibility of reopening some of our villa properties, which would serve as a precursor to a phased reopening of the island’s borders to tourists. We then attended a follow-up meeting organised by Mr. Bloom, with government officials, to further discuss the possibilities and implications.
“Subsequently, we contacted the Honourable Parliamentary Secretary (Mr. Cardigan Connor), in relation to putting in place a Steering Committee comprising the Anguilla Tourist Board, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance, and the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association. The purpose of this Committee is the exploration of the phased reopening of the island’s borders. This meeting was the first of several follow-up meetings to work through the process of preparing for reopening to tourists.
“The main focus of the discussions was the securing of an opening date for the island’s borders; and to work along with the Government in creating protocols and guidelines to ensure the safety of the island, and to mitigate the potential risk of community spread of covid-19…”
The rest of Mr. Carty’s letter was as follows:
“The Government understands our concern and the need to restart the hospitality industry. We, as an industry, are cognizant that there is an element of fear, within some areas of the resident community, in relation to the reopening of the borders and potential covid-19 risks. It is a very delicate balance to negotiate the borders reopening both for the Government and for the community.
“At present, we have requested consideration for a date to be announced for a controlled soft reopening of the tourist market primarily to start with the villa sector. The villa properties would be easier to manage social distancing and control quarantining protocols, while affording the island the opportunity to assess our protocols and guidelines.
“It is imperative for our members to now mobilise their own internal safety protocols and preparations for a safe reopening of the sector. Everyone will ensure that their property or business is in compliance with the overall island plan. The plan will be released shortly for input by stakeholders.
“We encourage you to steer the course, and keep the faith, in these challenging times as we organise to rekindle our hospitality industry in this new era.”
