Many members of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association (AHTA) were present at the Annual General Meeting held at Paradise Cove on Wednesday March 21. Two important visitors were in attendance: Richard Skerritt, Minister of Tourism forSt Kitts and Nevisand Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization; and Hugh Riley, Secretary General of the Caribbean Hotel Organization.
Visitors and members were welcomed by Janine Edwards, a member of the AHTA Board, who said that because of the economy creative energy is needed and members must bond together to maintain a strong vision.
In his brief remarks, Governor Alistair Harrison noted that he is responsible for security and stressed the importance of keepingAnguillaa low crime destination. He told hoteliers to encourage their staff to report crime and cooperate with the police. He said that the economy is improving, although gradually, and everyone has to make the best of everything. He said that he and the Executive Council spend most of their time on tourism related issues.
Chief Minister Hubert Hughes welcomed Richard Skerritt and Hugh Riley and said that the future of Anguilla depends on the relationship between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office andAnguilla. He expressed the need to work together to create a sense of unity asAnguilla’s tourism industry is seriously threatened. He said that the Government has to take some harsh action for the sake of the people.
Parliamentary Secretary with responsibility for Tourism, Haydn Hughes, said: “No amount of taxes, no amount of austerity, no amount of contingency plans that are imposed upon us will negate the fact that we have to invest and reinvest in our tourism plant – that we have to invest in marketing, public relations, and promoting Anguilla around the world – so that all the members of the AHTA, our core constituents who fuel our economy, are sustainable and profitable.” He expressed the need for more marketing and his appreciation of the Anguilla Tourist Board and the AHTA: “The AHTA has this Government’s fullest support and we will work with them hand in hand to ensure that they do well because a strong AHTA is a strongAnguilla.”
Keynote speaker, Richard Skerritt, said that the region must realise that complacency is not an option, and in these times of uncertainty it is an opportunity to explore new possibilities. He also said that consumers are demanding more so it is a time to be creative. He stressed the importance of investing in marketing, people and infrastructure. “We simply must invest and re-invest,” he noted. Skerritt pointed out that visitor expenditure helps all the citizens, and the public and private sectors must work together. “We must work together as a destination and as a region,” he stressed, noting that now is the time for action. Differences must be set aside in order for tourism to succeed, and public and private sector partners must work together he suggested.
Skerritt spoke of the APD imposed byBritainand the likelihood of a further increase. He pointed out that the increase will impact not only tourists inBritaingoing abroad but inbound tourism as well. He noted that if visitors from theUKpay more to get to theCaribbean, then they will expect more – so we will have to supply more for less.
Executive Director of the AHTA, Gilda Gumbs-Samuel, said that it is important to embrace tourism and to ensure it maintains a high standard. She said that residents must learn how to reach visitor expectations. She said that she looks forward to the results of the Master Plan and thanked members for their support throughout the year.
Following the addresses an election was held for the Board of the AHTA. The new Board includes Sherille Hughes, Fred Thompson, Avon Carty, Joash Proctor,DelroyLake, Trudy Nixon and Stephane Zaharia.
(The annual report of the AHTA was presented by President Sherille Hughes and is reported on page 20.)
– Press Release
