However much and desirable the diversification of Anguilla's economy may be, the tourist industry, now accounting for some two-thirds of the GDP, will be the mainstay of the island’s economic development for the foreseeable future.

Governor Harrison

That is according to Governor Alistair Harrison, in an address to the Annual General Meeting of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association (AHTA) on July 23 at CuisinArt Resort and Spa. He was at the time giving his impressions of the tourism industry after the first three months of his appointment on the island.

Alec Sanguinetti

“My second equally obvious impression is of the quality of the product that you offer,” he observed. “I have never been anywhere which has such high quality tourist facilities and so many top quality resorts. It is also …undoubtedly true that you have the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, perhaps in the world here, and that really underpins the quality of the product you are offering. And what has happened this year is that it is now official that you have the best cuisine in the Caribbean. I would just once again congratulate the Anguilla team who did so well in the recent Taste of the Caribbean Culinary Competition.”

Sherrille Hughes

AHTA President, Sherrille Hughes, gave an extensive report on the functioning of the organisation over the past year. She reported that membership of the association continued to increase and members remained committed showing considerable organisational and financial support. She spoke on various successful marketing initiatives and other activities and helpful rave reviews of the island’s tourism industry, facilities and services, by leading international travel trade publications.

Hoteliers and others at the meeting

“We are pleased to report that Anguilla is one of the few islands in the Caribbean that will open new accommodation properties this year and that we continue to open restaurants and other tourism services,” Mrs. Hughes noted. “The AHTA has already enrolled seven new members for this financial year which shows confidence in Anguilla’s tourism offer. We welcome into our association new properties: La Vue, Indigo Reef and Viceroy and new restaurants: Pedro’s, Juice Bar & Grill and look forward to all of us benefiting from the increased visitor spending they will bring.”

Trudy Nixon, Sherrille Hughes and Guilda Gumbs

Director General and CEO of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism, Association, Alec Sanguinetti, was the keynote speaker. “When you look at the President’s report and see all the activities that have taken place, in very challenging times, it confirms why the CHTA conferred on Trudy Nixon (then Executive Director of AHTA) the award of Hotel Association Executive of the Year in 2008,” he stated.
Mr. Sanguinetti, in praising Anguilla for its tourism industry, spoke of the need for further efforts to promote the industry and to maintain its position in the international marketplace.

He dwelled at length on various matters affecting regional tourism and warned that the area stood at risk of losing its edge in the market. “We must immediately take action in the areas of human resource development, service standards and product development, if we are to regain our competitive position in this global industry,” the tourism expert advised.
“I seriously suggest that Caribbean tourism is in danger of no longer being competitive and this will only worsen if we do not take action. During this period, when our industry is in a downturn, we have the opportunity to concentrate on fixing the regional issues impacting our tourism industry that are in our control to fix and we must do so.” Among the problems he identified was the need to improve air travel and control high cost of tourism services in the region.

Melinda Goddard of ClienTell Consulting, LLC presented a Membership Survey and ratings of performance which showed, among other matters, that the AHTA had attracted a high degree of customer satisfaction in its operations.

Other matters dealth with during the meeting included the election of new officers and a farewell to the outgoing AHTA Executive Director. Those elected to the AHTA Board of Directors were Stephane Zaharia of CuisinArt Resort and Spa; Bart van Deventer of Malliouhana Hotel and Spa and Janine Edwards of Sunset Homes. They are now working with the other Board members: Sherille Hughes, Delroy Lake, Avon Carty, Catherine Orchard, Karle Connor and Will Fleming.

Trudy Nixon has stepped down from Executive Director of the AHTA, after three years, and was widely commended and awarded for her distinguished service. Ms Nixon, who is establishing her own business, described the appointment she held as “the most rewarding and interesting job I have ever had.” She is succeeded by Kay Ferguson, a former PRO with the Anguilla Health Authority. Kay commented that she was “honoured and privileged” to have been selected for the job to which she pledged her commitment to service.

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