As of June 2018, Anguilla has undergone a dramatic decline in the tourism sector of the island’s economy. As summarised by the Anguilla Statistics Department, under the Tourism Statistics Summary 2018, Anguilla has experienced its sixth decline for 2018. In comparison to the summary of June 2017, we have managed to decrease our visitor numbers by 56.8%, which is more than half of the visits.
Anguilla and our people are dependent upon tourism for the most basic underpinning of the economy, but not only as a means of securing the necessities of life – also to maintain stability. With numbers continually declining at this rate, we risk experiencing hardship, struggle, and instability as we have not experienced it in living memory.
We can all accept that the trigger for this decline was the catastrophic category 5 Hurricane Irma, that struck Anguilla and our neighbouring islands in September last year and which has left many facilities damaged beyond repair.
But the question we have to ask ourselves is why Anguilla has failed to rebuild and recover its tourism industry as quickly and as successfully as its neighbours. And the answer lies in lack of leadership and crass incompetence.
Not only did Irma play a role in the devastation of Anguilla, but the lack of leadership from Government, along with the lack of ability demonstrated by the Anguilla Tourist Board to provide and update adequate information about scheduled arrival and departure times of ferries and flights to and from Anguilla, and Anguilla’s freedom from Zika, has contributed enormously to the decreasing numbers. Even as an Anguillian with a great deal more knowledge of the potential travel links, I am hard pressed to find on the Internet, with any certainty that the information is up to date, the best means of reaching Anguilla from the outside world, or of returning to the outside world. What does that say to a busy person wanting to organise a trouble-free getaway for himself and his family? The answer is that it is an instant turn-off and he will choose an easier destination. What has the Minister of Tourism done about it? Search me. The uncertainty of these and other services inevitably played a substantial role at the beginning of our most recent tourist season and, if these services are not managed effectively, we can expect that our tourist numbers will be adversely affected.
As most of you will know, the Ministry of Tourism is one of the Chief Minister’s portfolios. But it is one to which it does not seem to me he has paid very much relevant attention, and Anguilla and Anguillians are the victim of his neglect. If he can’t stand the heat of the kitchen he should get out of the kitchen and make way for someone with more relevant priorities.
Many will also point out that the destruction of the Dolphin Discovery attraction has contributed to the decrease of excursionists. The Tourism Statistics Summary recorded a decrease from 9,610 persons during the period of June 2017, and compared it to the number of visits during June 2018, which was 2,440 persons. It is said that this is in fact the lowest recorded number of excursionists to the island for any June month as far back as 1993. While day trippers do not bring the same economic benefit to the island as tourists staying longer and occupying overnight accommodation, every little helps.
Even before Hurricane Irma the Zika virus was a factor in Anguilla’s woes. Rumours spread like wildfire but are sometimes not based on facts. However, the Public Health Officials reported to many sources that mosquitoes in Anguilla were infected with Zika and that it had started spreading to humans; this despite the fact, the Ministry of Health and Social Development had not reported any Zika virus infections or deaths related to the virus. Unfortunately and shamefully, the Government of Anguilla, as well as the Anguilla Tourist Board, dismally failed to inform the public and foreign governments adequately about the true state of Anguilla in relation to the Zika Virus. Even to this day, I understand, the US travel advisory still cites Anguilla as a Zika risk. Had these sources used their platforms and responded to the rumours more rapidly and aggressively, our tourist visits for 2018 could have been vastly better than they have been hitherto.
Irma, along with the decrease in tourism, has left many Anguillians unemployed and unable to maintain the livelihoods which we are most familiar with. But while we cannot expect anything but a downturn from such a disaster, it does not sit well with us to be left behind, as our government has succeeded in achieving. Electioneering promises of future development will be no substitute for action that maximises the facilities we already have available for visitors. The sooner the deficiencies and incompetence can be rectified, the sooner the community will be restored to productivity.
Anguillians are known for their capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; we have learned over the years to put our best foot forward. It is critical that we continue to march forward hand in hand and continue to support and uplift each other. It is also important that we adapt to the circumstances that have been dealt to us as best as we can, while we wait and hope that our current Government can identify with the need for change, adjust the tourism policy that is currently in place, improve its leadership skills and combat adverse rumours, to achieve the desired result.
Our beautiful island is fragile, and the creation of a system that can provide us with stabilisation can greatly contribute to growth, which all Anguillians will be most grateful for. Let us continue to hope, and endure together.
