Several islands of the Caribbean took part in the Cultural Fair on the grounds of the Agricultural Department on Saturday November 28 at the opening of Tourism Week. There were several booths from St Kitts/Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, the Dominican Republic, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, Anguilla and the Philippines. Each stall had samples of food, and products and crafts for sale. Music by local band Smokey and the Boys, added to the lively atmosphere.

L-R: Mr. Banks, Mrs. Gina Brooks-Harrigan, Ms. Merlyn Rogers and Mr. Delroy Lake

Victor Banks, Minister of Tourism, praised the persons from the islands represented thanking them for contributing not only to the Fair but to Anguilla’s tourism product. He said that the Cultural Fair accentuates the fact that not only Anguillians are part of the island’s tourism but other nations are working here and, at the Fair, were giving an opportunity to experience the products from across the Caribbean. He referred to the morning’s sermon at the Mount Fortune Seventh Day Adventist Church which advocated putting God first and not dwelling on the negative or positive things of the past, but looking to the future and by trusting that things will get better.

“Let us work together to make sure that Anguilla continues to be the destination of which we are proud,” he concluded before declaring tourism week open.

The opening ceremony was chaired by Gina Brooks, Deputy Director of Product Development, and included short addresses by Acting Director of Tourism, Merlyn Rogers, and Vice President of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association, Delroy Lake.

Smokey and the Boys Stringband in action

Mr Lake referred to the theme for the week “The Anguilla Experience: Endurance and Opportunity in Challenging Times.” He said now is the time to look and see what is wrong and what can be fixed and improved. He suggested more training, better taxi services, keeping the island clean and generally giving better service.

Merlyn Rogers said she regards the Cultural Fair as in integral part of the Tourism Week and hopes it will build and foster good relationships. She suggested that the theme was timely as there was a need to look for new ways of doing business.

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