SERVICE FOR TOURISM WEEK

Celebrating The Best For Anguilla

Tourism Week 2002 got off to a start on Sunday November 17 with a Thanksgiving Service in the garden of Paradise Cove, a locally-owned resort on the south-west coast of the island. It was the first such type of service conducted on a hotel premises organised jointly by the Anguilla Tourist Board and the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association.

One of the speakers was Chairman of the Anguilla Tourist Board who called on all persons in Anguilla to look at the land which God had given them and see what they could do to enhance it. He noted that tourists were complaining about the untidiness of the island and emphasised the need for its people to clean it up. He was pleased that Government had taken a stance on this issue by introducing an environmental tax to assist in keeping the island clean. “The time has come that we must put our money where our mouth is and we must pay the taxes that are due to make sure we have a clean and healthy environment – not only for the tourists but for ourselves,” he stated. “I wish to congratulate the Government on that initiative because the time has come to do it.”
On the question of crime, Mr. Benjamin said that unlike in other countries, Anguillians could walk without fear. “Yes, we have some problems. We have a murder now and again and one murder is too much, but we can [avoid] that by creating positive activities for our young people to do,” he went on. “We can create games, art shows, regattas, so many things to finds work for idle hands to do; and once we do that, Anguilla will be on a road to Heaven. We are fortunate that we have a very beautiful island. There are beautiful people and one thing our tourists have commended us for, is our people. Our people are warm and friendly… Everywhere we go – from Monte Carlo to New York - they say we have a good product and they do not understand why we are not having more people in Anguilla. May be if we start by cleaning the place up, making them feel free at home, and that we all love them as much as they love us, then we would all benefit from it. I have always believed that we in Anguilla can do better and will do better and let us give God the glory…”
Another speaker during the service was President of the Hotel and Tourism Association, Fred Thompson. Touching on the theme for the week, “Celebrating the Best of Anguilla,” he was of the view that the best was yet to come. “The best is to be incorporated in our area, environment and appreciation over the long haul,” he observed. He noted that the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association was a member-driven organisation with beneficial links to the Caribbean Hotel Association (which handles various marketing and other programmes for its members;) the Caribbean Hotel Tourism Conference; the Small Hotels Conference and the Caribbean Hotel and Industry Conference.

“As a private sector-led organisation, with membership representing all facets of Anguilla’s tourism industry, the AHTA has sought to work closely in recent years with the Government through partnership with the Anguilla Tourist Board to create and maintain a frame-work to achieve our vision of Anguilla as a premier vacation destination,” he said. “I think we are half-way there. We need to get the other half in place by cleaning up the island and keeping it clean and showing a solid appreciation for these efforts because we are all involved in tourism… We have always believed that coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress and working together is success. It is hoped that we will come together in partnership – AHTA members, Government and the private sector. We will lead our tourism industry to new heights in the new millennium and beyond. We have already begun to do that and we encourage more participation from among other sectors and businesses on the island.”

The sermon was preached by Pastor Jerome Harrigan, whose text was taken from Isaiah chapter 35 verse 6, which speaks about the benefits of God’s blessings on a people who believe in him.

Other persons who participated in the service were well- known singer, Harold Vanterpool, who conducted the praise and worship session; Arindell Lewis who delivered the opening. The Scripture readers - Sherrille Hughes, Manager of Paradise Cove and Ernie Hodge and Candis Niles of the Anguilla Tourist Board.