According to information from the Statistics Unit in Anguilla, hotel occupancy rates for January to December 2002 averaged 32.3% compared to 30.5% in 2001 and 31.3% in 2000. Tourist arrivals to Anguilla in 2002 performed sluggishly all year. This type of visitor saw an 8.3% decline in arrivals from 2001.

Tourists to Anguilla during this period were 43,969, 47,946 and 43,789 in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Tourist visitor numbers show a contradictory picture to occupancy rates. This is possible because visitors may stay on average for longer or shorter periods from one year to the next and visitors include those that stay in rented accommodations or with family and friends. The closure of the Sonesta Hotel in 2002 also contributed to the moderate improvement in the low occupancy compared to 2001.

Occupancy rates at hotels with less than 20 rooms saw the largest increase while the larger hotels, those in the 20 to 50 rooms and over 50 rooms categories, showed a combined average increase in occupancy of 2.9%. This small increase is attributable to the economic difficulties that are being experienced presently in the main countries from which tourists originate and the increased fear of tourists, Americans in particular for their safety while traveling abroad. As a result, a higher percentage of those that travel opted to stay at home and those who have traveled have had to be attracted by significant room rate reductions by some of the leading resorts on the island. Despite this a significant number of visitors appear to have opted to stay at more modestly priced accommodations.

Occupancy rates at hotels with less than 20 rooms and between 20 and 50 rooms were up by 20.1% and 4.0% respectively from 2001 in 2002.

Occupancy rates for hotels with less than 20 rooms for the period January to December 2002 had a combined average occupancy of 25.6% compared to 21.3% over the same period last year. Hotels with 50 or more rooms also showed an increase of 1.8% during this period relative to last year. This category showed a combined average occupancy of 51.4% in 2002 compared to 50.5% for 2001, whilst hotels with 20 to 50 rooms had a combined average occupancy of 33.4% compared to 32.1% in 2001 reflecting the 4.0% increase.

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