Emerging out of last Sunday’s World Travel Awards Ceremony held here, came the news that voters had selected Anguilla as “the World’s Leading Luxury Island Destination”. The actual criteria for that selection were not announced, but an advanced press release had stated that the holding of the event in Anguilla was decided on “amid flourishing tourism and a growing reputation as one of the world’s premier destinations”. For Anguilla, an island with a well-known history of wanton neglect and depravity, only broken through revolution, pride, and the resilience of its people, that was indeed good news.
There is every reason to believe that the grand gala event has brought about a great deal of publicity for Anguilla and a number of high-end properties and other facilities, big and small, several of which were either awarded or otherwise exposed to the international marketplace during the event. It is a great pity, however, that more of our ancillary services were not included in the list either as nominees or awardees, in recognition of their outstanding contributions. For example, history and museums play an exceedingly important role in the dispense of tourism information, and in the enlightenment of visitors about the development of civilisations, culture, and other societal norms, but, unfortunately, nothing related to this vital area was taken into account. This was obviously a glaring omission which should never have occurred.
The awardees in Anguilla found themselves numbered among many award recipients from various regions of the world. This, too, like the island having been voted the World’s Leading Luxury Island Destination, is a big plus for Anguilla – especially when considering the high profile properties and services of the international award recipients. It all tells a story about the need for our people and properties to aspire to excellence in the travel industry, and to compete successfully in what has really become a common, but important, world-wide tourism industry.
The glittering and prestigious World Travel Awards event, now in its 21st year, will not return to Anguilla anytime in the foreseeable future (if ever at all), given the increasing emergence of other luxury destinations across the globe. Though Anguilla has achieved relatively remarkable growth in tourism, there is evidently a lot more to be accomplished in this area of development. To start with, there is a need for more marketing of Anguilla and its top-notched facilities.
Mr Graham Cooke, President of the World Travel Awards, made this clear when he told local media representatives that Anguilla was a diamond destination, and there was a need “to get out there” and show the world what the island has to offer. Many of the leading international travel personalities at the World Travel Awards Ceremony were in Anguilla for the first time and probably some of them had not even heard about our island paradise before. What was clear is that they were overly impressed with what they saw, and perhaps will come again either as visitors or potential investors.
The 2014 World Travel Awards Ceremony was originally scheduled to be held in Anguilla on October 25, but was postponed as a result of the passage of Hurricane Gonzalo. The fact that the island was ready to host the event on December 7, the rescheduled date, did not escape the attention of the World Travel Awards President. He told local reporters that he was very impressed by the quick recovery efforts on the island, and particularly the readiness of the hotels for the event including the accommodation of guests.
Interestingly, the above-mentioned awards followed closely on the heels of the Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony hosted on Friday, December 5, at Viceroy, by the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association in partnership with the Anguilla Tourist Board and various sponsors. It was a very auspicious and formal occasion with the awarding of some fifteen recipients for various contributions to tourism and related services.
There was a large attendance but, unfortunately, unlike the World Travel Awards, no members of Government attended the function – not even in recognition of the growth of the tourism industry, which it is promoting, or to congratulate the awardees. One can only surmise that this was a childish response to certain recent criticisms which the Hotel and Tourism Association, through its President, Mr Delroy Lake, had made of Government in letters to Chief Minister Hubert Hughes. The maxim applies: “Charity begins at home”. In other words, just as they filled up the front tables and cheered as the World Travel Awards recipients were announced, they should have done the same at the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Awards Ceremony.
In conclusion, we are all happy with the continued growth of tourism in Anguilla; the recognition and exposure it provides for the island; and the opportunities for economic development and employment it offers for Anguilla and its people.
Congratulations to all of our Anguilla nominees and awardees in the World Travel Awards Ceremony (not forgetting the overseas winners), and those of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association Gala Dinner and Awards event. You have done all of us, yourselves, and our paradise island, proud.
