The Honourable Minister with responsibility for Tourism, Mr. Haydn Hughes, expressed optimism for robust tourism activity this year.
Speaking at the government of Anguilla’s Press Conference on December 6, 2021, Mr. Hughes stated: “We’ve been having a robust tourist season with lots of variety, and we are expecting a full house in terms of all the hotel properties for the festive period. We are very excited about that. Already, some of the hotels have recorded record numbers at their properties, and that is great for us.”
Minister Hughes noted that the Aurora hotel is also operational, and the work done at the property and grounds areas has greatly improved its standing. He observed: “Everything at the hotel is coming together in terms of the room compliments, the grounds, the greens (golf course), the airlift and the ground transportation. We are very excited about the prospects, not only for Aurora, but for the country on a whole.”
Persons travelling to and from Anguilla by air service will also have “much improved facilities to traverse,” Mr. Hughes said. He explained that a lot of remedial work is being done at the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport terminal. “We’ve expanded the testing area, and the desks for Cape Air and American Airlines have already been installed. The arrival and departure area for these new airlines should be completed by this week.”
He continued: “It’s a high possibility that from this Saturday, we will have Silver Airlines, American Airlines, Trade Winds Aviation, Cape Air, Anguilla Air Services, Trans Anguilla, plus private jets – all arriving into and/or departing from Anguilla, using the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport around the same time.
“We can see that the airport is now starting to live up to the promise that was envisioned back in the early 1970’s. We are very excited for prospects of the future of the Clayton J Lloyd International Airport.”
Much progress is noted with regard to the construction of the Blowing Point ferry terminal in preparation for the arrival and departure of persons travelling by sea. Mr. Hughes indicated that the work is going on ahead of schedule. “Work at the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal is going on quickly and ahead of schedule. In order to better utilise the space there, many changes have been made, including reconfiguration of the building.”
