Mr. Victor Banks, former Premier of Anguilla and Minister of Tourism, issued a statement on Thursday, July 9th, about Anguilla’s winning of the Travel & Leisure Award for the fourth consecutive year.
Mr. Banks’ statement was sent to Mr. Cardigan Connor, former Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism; Mrs. Donna Banks, former Chairperson of the Anguilla Tourist Board; investors and all other stakeholders in the Anguilla Tourism Sector. It reads as follows:
Let me take this opportunity to congratulate all of you for the part you played in leading our Tourism Sector — as it has for the fourth consecutive year received the coveted Travel & Leisure Award as the Best Tourism Destination for the Caribbean including The Bahamas & Bermuda. I believe that such an achievement is both historic and quite likely unprecedented.
I am particularly pleased that this achievement came during a period of great challenge for our region especially during the year prior as well as the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. The entire tourism sector from employees to management must take pride in this international recognition — and must be admonished not to be complacent but rather seek to ever improve the quality and levels of service we bring to our visitors from around the globe. We would be well advised to remember that even though this is a Caribbean Award — we are in fact competing with the rest of the world.
Finally, let me encourage the entire Anguillian Community to play their part in making our destination the best that it can be from quality services; immaculate environment; to warm and friendly attitudes. This is Our Anguilla — and we must continue to be beyond extraordinary in the experiences we offer.
Victor F. Banks
