Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/1833/-1/135/
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"GIANT STEP FOR ANGUILLA IN PUERTO RICO" American Eagle Here To Stay, Says Sales Manager
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Efforts to market Anguilla in Puerto Rico during the summer months in particular, are paying off, according to this island’s representative there, Guillermo Pino. His first major achievement since his appointment earlier this year, has been the visit of a group of travel writers from the top magazines and other publications in Puerto Rico to write about Anguilla. “It is a giant step,” he said at Paradise Cove Resort a few days ago as he introduced the writers during a welcome reception.
“We were able to gather the top 6 - 7 publications as well as the top wholesalers in Puerto Rico. They are having a lovely time here and we are having a very good itinerary and expect it to be a rather productive step,” Mr. Pino told The Anguillian. “We are going to be visiting some of the assets Anguilla has in terms of a destination. We are not specifically looking at any hotel property in particular. We want the Puerto Rican market to understand that Anguilla can be a high-end and affordable destination for most persons who want to come here for the summer which is the slow season. Among other activities we are going to be swimming with the dolphins enjoying a boat ride around some of the beautiful beaches such as Meads Bay, Shoal Bay and Little Bay. All this is going to be documented in the top magazines and newspapers of Puerto Rico and we believe this is going to be the starting point to a very exciting summer season here.
“We are also going to be highlighting the St. Maarten/St.Martin gateway to Anguilla which is going to be facilitated by the American Eagle. They are going to be providing us with a lot of seats at very reasonable rates.”
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L-R; Mr. Benjamin and Mr. Pino
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Chairman of the Anguilla Tourist Board, John Benjamin, commented: “I am very pleased with Mr. Pino coming to Anguilla for years, just recently, a couple of months you can call it, has managed successfully to bring a group of this magnitude to Anguilla. I think we have to congratulate him for the work he is doing. If it continues this way, we will probably run out of rooms in Anguilla. He is doing a very good job.”
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Evette Negron
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Meanwhile, the Regional Sales Manager for American Eagle, Evette Negron, said: “American Eagle is here to stay and we are going to try to increase our service to this beautiful island.” She noted that in September the Eagle would suspend its service to Anguilla while Wallblake Airport is being extended. She explained that everyone from Puerto Rico could travel via St.Martin by ferry to Anguilla.
She added: “Our next project will be to bring travel agents from Puerto Rico so that they can experience that route to Anguilla on a ferry. The rates will be very attractive so we will do our best to increase tourism in Anguilla.”
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Mrs. Candis Niles
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Deputy Director of Tourism, Candis Niles, welcomed the travel writers to Anguilla. She said Mr. Pino had been able to work with his partners in Puerto Rico to make the trip a reality. “This is a very special trip,” she went on.” It has been in the making for some time and is dedicated to the growth of summer travel in Anguilla. Everyone who is involved in the tourism industry in Anguilla will appreciate that this is a very serious undertaking.”
Mrs. Niles said the Tourist Board was pleased with the cooperation and support of American Eagle. She was also grateful for the support of a number of key players in Anguilla’s economic community. These include Scotiabank, F. T. Lake & Associates, Anguilla Superior Sanitary Supplies, La Serena Hotel, Paradise Cove Resort, Anguilla Great House Resort, Rendezvous Bay Hotel, Frangipani Beach Resort, Carimar Beach Club, Cap Juluca Hotel, CuisinArt Resort & Spa, Scilly Cay, Dolphins Fantasy, Heritage Collection Museum, Gotcha Boat Tours, Tranquillity Bus Tours and Taino Wellness Centre.
“These companies have recognised, like the hoteliers and restauranteurs, that tourism is our business and when it prospers all of us prosper,” Mrs. Niles said. She added: “We would like you to know that we have a packed programme for our visiting press...; not enough to tire you out but surely enough to ensure that you get a feel of what Anguilla is and that you will be able to share that experience with your readers. We are all looking forward with much anticipation to receiving the stories that will be coming out as a result of your visit.”
Travel writers and local tourism officials
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