Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/1089/-1/135/
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CM: "DON'T BEG, DO THINGS" Tourism Board Has Own Home
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After paying rent over a period of eight years, the Anguilla Tourist Board has its own permanent building which was officially opened on Wednesday April 30 by Chief Minister and Minister of Tourism, Osbourne Fleming. Accommodation has also been provided for the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association, thus emphasing the close collaboration of both offices in promoting the island’s hospitality industry.
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Invited guests at opening ceremony
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The building is the substantially renovated and expanded former residence of the Agricultural Officer built 56 years ago on the scenic farmland in The Valley. In delivering the opening address, Mr. Fleming said it was the Government’s intention to further enhance the attractiveness of the area as part of a beautification plan already on the drawing board. “It is an excellent representation of the upscale image of Anguilla’s tourism product…to have a building that is pleasing both to visitors and the people of Anguilla …to manage the industry that puts money in our pockets and food on our tables,” he observed.
“I have always said, and I have said it to the British Government, that Anguilla must reach a stage where we will not beg and will do things for ourselves,” the Chief Minister went on. “The official opening of this permanent home for the Anguilla Tourist Board is a hallmark. It is one of the goals we wanted to achieve.” He told the large gathering that tourism was Anguilla’s main engine of growth for the foreseeable future, despite all the prevailing global factors impacting the industry.
Mr. Fleming called on all stakeholders in the industry in Anguilla to recommit themselves to finding creative solutions to increase occupancy levels and reduce the seasonality of the industry. He added that the Government would not hasten to support any new ventures that would expand and diversify the tourism product while maintaining the upscale image of Anguilla.
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Invited guests at opening ceremony
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Chairman of the Tourist Board, John Benjamin, delivered the welcome address in which he expressed the hope that the building would symbolise a new thought process, an understanding of the tourism industry and the beginning of the beautification in Anguilla. “We are an up-market destination and we feel very strongly that if we are going to enhance our product, we have to be more up-market and looking that way than actually saying we are up-market,” he stated. “We need to take the next giant step in the packaging of Anguilla by making the entire island look as beautiful as the surroundings where we are now.”
Mr. Benjamin urged Government and its tourism partners to put more money into promoting the industry. He noted that while Tortola was spending six million US dollars on marketing alone, Anguilla’s budget for that purpose was only four hundred thousand US dollars. “If this is the only industry that will keep us going and make our lives a lot better for our children and grandchildren, we have to take it seriously and push it forward,” he added.
Fred Thompson who served as President of the Hotel and Tourism Association for the past three years, said the management of tourism had become serious business. He was therefore pleased that Government had embarked on new premises for the Tourist Board and noted that since then there had been positive change in the delivery of services and work ethics.
“The fact that the Tourist Board has allowed the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association to occupy space in this building is testament to the fact that they agree that we have to be partners in this industry,” he added. “The working relationship between the AHTA and the Tourist Board is one that has been fostered over the years…and the things we have been able to do are beginning to take hold.” He was grateful for this level of cooperation and wished the Tourist Board continued success.
During the ceremony, President of the Anguilla Archaeological and Historical Society, Aileen Smith, expressed delight with the renovation and expansion of the building. She noted that the Society was involved in the preservation of traditional buildings on the island and called on Kenn Banks, an official of the Society to present a plaque to Mr. Benjamin for placement on the restored Tourist Board building. In making the presentation, Banks recalled the days when his parents and siblings lived in the residence which was built in 1947 by the late David S. Lloyd for the Agricultural Officer and occupied by his father the late Victor Banks Sr. (who served in that post) and family.
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Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming unveils plaque on Tourist Board’s building. Director of Tourism Amelia Vanterpool Kubisch and Chairman of the Tourist Board John Benjamin look on
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The ceremony climaxed with the unveiling of the official plaque on the building by the Chief Minister bearing his name and the date of the formal opening. Other persons who took part in the ceremony were Permanent Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office, Rodney Rey, who chaired the proceedings; Pastor Ambrose Richardson who said the opening prayer and Director of Tourism, Amelia Kubisch-Vanterpool, who delivered the vote of thanks.
The official opening of the ATB offices forms part of the series of activities which have been scheduled in recognition of the observance of 25 years of formal tourism on the island. Other key anniversary projects include the publication of a commemorative book entitled “Anguilla - Tranquility Wrapped in Blue”, the launch of a CPEC - sponsored Training Initiative and an island-wide tourism awareness campaign, as well as the traditional activities observed during Tourism Week in November 2003.
Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming unveils plaque on Tourist Board’s building. Director of Tourism Amelia Vanterpool Kubisch and Chairman of the Tourist Board John Benjamin look on
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Tourist Board building
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