THE VALLEY, ANGUILLA — Anguilla’s Tourism Week 2023 celebrations offered a mix of productive, enlightening and enjoyable events, says the Anguilla Tourist Board.
The ATB picked up on the World Tourism Day theme ‘Investing in People, Planet & Prosperity’ for the week, Nov. 26 – Dec. 2.
Highlights included a welcome speech by Dona Regis-Prosper, named Secretary General & CEO of the Caribbean Tourism Organization in July 2023, who joined Haydn Hughes, Minister of Infrastructure, Communications, Housing Utilities and Tourism, and Kevin Carty, Managing Director, Aurora Anguilla, as keynote speakers at the official opening breakfast at the Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club.
Regis-Prosper addressed the topic of Planet, while Carty spoke to the theme People and Minister Hughes addressed the subject of Prosperity.
Carty noted that hospitality accounts for over 90% of Anguilla’s GDP, and called for developing a road map to career mobility and progress within the industry as a national responsibility and priority.
GETTING TO ANGUILLA
There are plenty of options for Canadian travellers heading to Anguilla. American Airlines is currently operating daily direct flights from Miami International (MIA) to Anguilla (AXA), with two flights on Saturdays. The schedule will increase to twice-daily service from Dec. 20 and continue through the summer of 2024, with connections from/to Canada and the UK available.
“Anguilla’s expanded airlift this winter season represents not only a tremendous vote of confidence in our tourism product by our airline partners, but also reflects our commitment to expanding access to the island,” said Kenroy Herbert, Chairman of the Anguilla Tourist Board. “This is an important strategic objective for the ATB as we work to increase our overall occupancy levels and ultimately make Anguilla a 12-month destination.”
Anguilla’s new Blowing Point Ferry Terminal opened in January 2023, welcoming travelers arriving by private charter and public ferry. This is the primary entry point for visitors arriving via Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten (SXM), a key gateway for Anguilla, where a new departure hall and expanded check-In hall are both scheduled to open this winter.
From St Maarten, there are two options to get to Anguilla, by air or by sea. Visitors can take a short (seven minute) inter-island flight transfer to Anguilla. Alternatively, visitors can take a 25-minute boat transfer from the Anguilla-St. Maarten Ferry Terminal (ASMFT) on the Dutch side or a 30-minute public ferry ride from Marigot on the French side of St. Martin. Both ferry services arrive at the Blowing Point ferry terminal in Anguilla.
Intra-regional service has also expanded this winter season with new routes between Anguilla, Antigua and St. Barths. Anguilla Air Services (AAS) is operating scheduled flights between Anguilla (AXA) and Antigua (ANU) three times per week on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The AAS service began on Nov. 3 and will operate through April 2024.
Trans Anguilla Airways offers daily flights between Anguilla and St. Kitts, Nevis, Antigua, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten. Scheduled service also operates to Tortola (BVI) and Virgin Gorda.
For more information the official website of the Anguilla Tourist Board is www.IvisitAnguilla.com.
