NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Anguilla Tourist Board (ATB) has announced that the 2006 winter season was a highly successful one, as the island recorded a 10% increase in visitor arrivals (tourists, business travelers, excursionists/day trippers from St. Maarten) for the three month period January through March 2006.
This comes on the heels of a robust 2005, when the island enjoyed a 19% increase over the twelve-month period in 2004.
There were a total of 48,885 visitor arrivals for the first quarter, an increase of approximately 4,500 persons over the same period in 2005.
Tourist arrivals (stay over visitors) also increased by 10% during the same period, with the island welcoming 20,441 tourists for the period.
The U.S. remained the island’s largest market by far with 28,969 visitor arrivals (approximately 60% market share), versus 25,055 in 2005, representing an increase of 15.6%.
Amelia Vanterpool-Kubisch, Director of Tourism, attributed the record numbers and high profile of the island to several factors including an improved Airport Facility; increased marketing budget and a new marketing campaign around the concept of “The Charming Escapes Collection”, a group of 16 select hotels, villas and inns which offer a unique and affordable way to experience one of the Caribbean’s most exotic and exclusive island getaways, which has in essence expanded the market for the destination.
“We are currently ahead of our targeted arrivals, and have high hopes for another great year in 2006 with the prestigious St. Regis Residences, Temenos Anguilla, opening Anguilla’s first 18 hole championship golf course designed by Greg Norman in November, and the completion of a state of the art tennis facility in Blowing Point soon after,” she concluded.
