Persons attending the Annual General Meeting of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association (AHTA), held at Aleta Restaurant, Four Seasons Resort and Residences, on November 8, were told that the island’s tourism industry had recovered very well from the ravages of Hurricane Irma – and much continued growth was now expected.
The encouraging perspective was given by the CEO of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, Mr. Frank Comito, who was the Guest Speaker at the meeting. He commented that he had the opportunity to visit a number of hotels on the island and was pleased to see how well they had recovered, and improved their facilities, following Hurricane Irma – and that the island’s recovery had surpassed that of the other hurricane-hit islands.
Looking at Anguilla’s tourism statistics, he told his listeners: “Here in Anguilla, according to the World Travel Tourism Council, the GDP contribution to tourism was about 204 million dollars in 2017. That’s even with the hurricane hitting [the island], and it represented at that time 61.6 percent of your total GDP with a forecast of up to 81.3 percent in nine years.”
He observed that direct and induced employment from tourism was about 64 percent and was projected to increase to 80 percent in nine years with some 5,000 people employed. He described this as a huge difference when what Anguilla lost in 2017 was factored out.
Mr. Comito continued: “The Caribbean is the most tourism-dependent region in the world and you guys are right there in the top 10. In fact, Anguilla is number 6. That is a great achievement. When it comes to employment [in tourism] you are number 4. So you can see how important tourism is – not only to Anguilla but to our entire region.”
He indicated that Anguilla had some of the highest room rates in the Caribbean. He cautioned, however, that those rates were great when they could be obtained, but if a recession or other traumatic situation hit, and the rates dropped, it could result in employee lay-offs and other difficulties – if occupancy levels on the island were only 50-55 percent. He said it was therefore really important to continue to work on marketing and product development to maintain a competitive status.”
Meanwhile, the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association, which plays a key role in the development of the industry, was ably represented at the meeting by the Acting President, Mrs. Janine Edwards. She recalled that after Hurricane Irma, AHTA members suffered large set-backs involving hotel closures, physical damage and financial losses.
“We wish to formally record our thanks to the Government of Anguilla which saw the value of this Association, and its role in our nation, and provided a vital lifeline of some financial assistance for 2019,” she stated. “Amidst this challenge of stabilizing our organisation, the AHTA managed to achieve a number of accomplishments over the [past year] as we bounced back:
• “We secured and established our own offices located at South Hill. (We extend thanks to the Anguilla Tourist Board for graciously providing office accommodation for us for many years.)
• “We successfully lobbied hard to get the removal of the marketing levy that was a burden to so many accommodation members – due to the matching component.
• “We provided several AHTA-sponsored training courses and learning opportunities to our members and the wider business sector.
• “We actively represented membership input on a wide cross-section of matters including the Labour Code, the ban on single-use plastics, the Anguilla Tourism Advisory Council and, in fact, we provide insight and thoughtful input on almost every facet of tourism and community life here in Anguilla.
• “We provide linkages and access to the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association and its wealth of marketing and advocacy benefits.
• “We are currently in collaboration with the Government of Anguilla on a Tourism Enhancement Programme which will have a significant impact to empower all facets of tourism for our tourism sector.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Rolf Masshardt, who has been serving as Treasurer of the Association, reported on the financial position of the organization: “I did not like the figures of the Hotel Association for the last two years, but since January this year it was much better – thanks to the Government of Anguilla” which provided US$75,000. He said the assistance of the Government had enabled the Association to improve its operation to the level it was at prior to Hurricane Irma. He hoped the Association would be able to get further assistance from the Government to continue its work.
There were two other speakers at the meeting. They were Mrs. Chantelle Richardson, Coordinator of International Markets with the Anguilla Tourist Board, who gave an update of its marketing efforts; and Mrs. Candis Niles, the Tourism Education Coordinator.
The meeting concluded with an election of officers for the Hotel and Tourism Association. The new members are: Kevin Carty and Warren Buddle. Those who renewed their service are Kenroy Herbert and Kerchell Jn Charles-Hodge. Other existing members are Sharon Richardson and Sandra Richardson. The retiring Board members are Janine Edwards and Rolf Masshardt.
