The Anguilla Summer Festival is here again with all of its attendant trappings of historical culture and merry-making. Large numbers of people, desirous of escaping the difficulties of last minute travel, have already begun arriving on the island ahead of the start of the main festivities.

The annual festival, a merging of carnival activities, side shows and boat-racing, is really geared towards attracting greater numbers of visitors to Anguilla during the summer. There are also several other festivals organised on a yearly basis with the objective being to woo more travellers at times when the tourist industry is lean. The results are indicating that the Anguilla Tourist Board and its Festival Office, the main drivers in the seat, as well as those with whom they are partnering, are scoring some successes. More than half of the year has already gone, but so far, although the tourist numbers have dropped off, there are still an appreciable number of arrivals and bookings at our various places of accommodation. This certainly augurs well for the future.
The Summer Festival is also a time for family reunions, when scores of Anguillians return home from many parts of the world. It is a period, rivalled only by the Christmas Season, when immigration statistics show a significant increase occasioned by the influx at Wallblake Airport, the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal as well as at Road Bay to some extent.

As a sideline, it is worth mentioning here that our ports are the gateways to our beautiful island and everything possible should be done to bring about their development and enhancement. The decorating of the airport compound with an assortment of palms, flowering and ornamental shrubs could not have come at a better time when so many people are flying in to the island. It speaks well of Anguilla and our taste for natural beauty and an attractive environment.
The varied Summer Festival and family reunions are special occasions. There is no room for any acts of violence or other untoward and deviant behaviour among our youth population. The fights and shootings of last year must not raise their ugly heads this time to mar any of the planned activities at the Landsome Bowl Cultural Centre or on our streets during the festivities. There must be a sense of safety and enjoyment throughout this festive period and the police, hard-pressed as they may be, must act decisively and with all the strength of the law at their disposal, to maintain law and order and to deal with those who may seek to cause disruption. Care must also be taken by everyone to avoid all types of accidents which can also have a negative impact at this time of merriment.

All that is now left to be said is a big welcome to all our visitors and compatriots and to express our wish that everyone will have a safe and enjoyable Summer Festival and a time well spent in Anguilla.

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