ATB To Launch Special Promo in Puerto Rico

As part of its initiatives to further diversify the summer market and promote travel to Anguilla from the Caribbean, the Anguilla Tourist Board is offering a special promotional package into the island from Puerto Rico.

According to Deputy Director of Tourism, Mrs Candis Niles, Puerto Rico has long been regarded by Anguilla as an excellent niche market for short break vacations of 2 to 4 days, and Anguilla’s appeal as a destination for the Puerto Rican market is enhanced by the easy access afforded by regular daily flights into the island with American Eagle.

In order to make Anguilla more appealing as a short break choice, the Anguilla Tourist Board has requested special discount rates from service establishments on the island in the areas of Shopping, Dining, Car Rentals, and Activities, and a special Promotional round trip fare of US$125.00 plus taxes from Puerto Rico to Anguilla has been made available by American Eagle. These have been combined in a flier with the accommodation specials available during the Summer months from the various properties on the island. Thirteen properties have been included in the flier which will be available at some of Puerto Rico’s top travel agencies.

In order to maximize the success of the Summer Breeze promotion, a dedicated publicity program will be undertaken in the marketplace. Not only is it necessary to get the message out to the Travel Trade, who will be selling the packages, but it is also important to inform the consumer that such an attractive vacation option exists, and is available for them to enjoy.

Under the media plan, advertisements will be placed in two of San Juan’s leading newspapers, El Nuevo Dia and The San Juan Star, as well as in the leading Travel Trade publication, GO Magazine. A press trip is also being organized to generate editorial material and ensure that exposure for the island in the Puerto Rico market is maximized during the period of the promo.

The Anguilla Tourist Board is committed to maintaining the image of the island as a quality exclusive destination with a range of accommodations and activities suitable for all.

 

April 2002

WHAT'S INSIDE...

ATB to Launch Special
Promo in Puerto Rico

American Express
“Excellence Together”
Seminar or Anguilla

Social Security Hosts Small Meetings in Anguilla

 

Anguillian Hotelier to be
honored at Caribbean Week

 

 

Spotlight on�

Hello Tourist Program

 

Recipe of the Month

 

On the Rep Site

 

Calender of Events

NEWS IN BRIEF

The Summer Festival Committee hosted its official Press Launch on May 22 at Smokey’s at the Cove. Present were members of the press, sponsors, representatives of the ATB, the coordinating entity for the Summer Festival, and Chairpersons of the various subcommittees. This year’s events will run from August 1-10,under the slogan, Fun, Fantasy and Culture Too, Anguilla Summer Festival 2002.


American Express “Excellence Together” Seminar for Anguilla

The Anguilla Tourist Board, in conjunction with American Express will be offering an “Excellence Together” training program for the Anguilla Hospitality and Retail Industry.

The goal of the “Excellence Together” program is to provide participants with an understanding of the importance of providing quality service, and key factors in delivering quality service, and deals with a number of topics including the impacts of tourism, communication and the customer, professionalism and the components of the selling process.

Participating establishments will have the opportunity to send up to 2 members of their organization to this very informative and rewarding training workshop, which is scheduled to take place on Friday, June 7th, 2002 at The Chandeliers Conference Centre from 9:00am to 6:00pm. Two breaks will be provided, and an hour will be allowed for lunch. The full cost of the participation in this seminar will be US$25.00, which includes the manual, 2 breaks and lunch.

Members of the Retail Hospitality Sector are encouraged to participate in the one-day training seminar as we seek to enhance Customer Service in Anguilla through the pursuit of Excellence Together.


Social Security Board Hosts Small Meetings in Anguilla

Over 40 delegates will be in Anguilla for the ISSA and CARICOM meetings for Social Security Directors in the English-speaking Caribbean scheduled to take place at the Sonesta Beach Resort from May 27th-31st, 2002.

Items to be discussed over the four-day meeting period include the Enforcement of Compliance, the use of information and communication technology to provide better service, current investment strategies, and regional cooperation among Social Security Organizations.

A number of social activities have also been planned for the period including a welcome cocktail hosted by the Hon. F. Banks Minister for Social Security, an awards presentation hosted by the director of Social Security, the Walter G. Hodge Memorial Lecture, and a formal dinner at Frangipani Restaurant hosted by the Anguilla Social Security Board.

Social Security Directors from throughout the region are expected to benefit highly from interaction with their counterparts and international facilitators, Mr. Warner McGillivray, Chief Studies and Operations Branch of the General Secretariat of ISSA in Geneva, Mr. Steve McAndrew of CARICOM and Mr. Derek Osbourne of the International Labour Organization.


Anguillian Hotelier to be Honoured at Caribbean Week in NY

Mrs Vida Lloyd, proprietress of Lloyd’s Guesthouse on Crocus Hill, will be among 50 individuals being honoured by the Caribbean Tourism Organization during the course of the CTO Caribbean Week scheduled for May 28 -31, 2002, in New York. The awards will take place during a special commemorative ceremony which will form part of the programme for the 29th Annual Governments of the Caribbean State Ball at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. On hand from the island to support Mrs Lloyd in the receipt of her award will be her son, Mr David Lloyd, Jr., Special Assistant Tourism, Mrs Donna Banks, and Director of Tourism, Mrs Amelia Vanterpool-Kubisch.

The decision to honour 50 individuals for their contribution to Caribbean tourism was taken in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the CTO. 33 honorees were selected by CTO member countries for their superior achievements in their own nations.

Mrs Lloyd was selected as Anguilla’s honoree in light of her longstanding contribution to the hospitality industry on the island. Lloyd’s Guesthouse was established in the summer of 1959 by the late Mr David Lloyd. After their marriage in 1962, Mrs Lloyd joined her husband in the running of the guesthouse, skillfully managing a thriving nursing career, and the needs of a growing family (she is the mother of two wonderful adults, David and Christine) whilst providing personalized service to the many guests who were privileged to pass through their doors. Today, Mrs Lloyd continues to manage Lloyd’s Guesthouse, providing a very high standard of quality service in Anguilla’s only true “bed and breakfast” establishment.

17 other honorees were selected from throughout the region by a panel of distinguished persons in honour of their contribution to tourism in the region. Lifetime Achievement Awards will also be presented to Michael Youngman, Director of Marketing, CTO; John Bell, CEO and Director General of the CHA; James Pepperdine, executive Vice President of Yesawich, Pepperdine and Brown; and Erick “Willy” Rotin, past Chairman of the CTA (now the CTO) and co-founder of the Hotel Association of Guadeloupe (post-humous).


Spotlight On…
Hello Tourist

In the last issue we informed you of the Project positions of 5 of our Primary schools. Here now is the information pertaining to the five remaining Schools.

School: Stoney Ground Primary
Class Teacher: Ruth Meade
Sponsor Hotel: Paradise Cove
Project 1: A collage of Paradise Cove including a big picture and advertisements about the Hotel.
Project 2: A display of all the Chief Ministers of Anguilla.
Camera/ Film Sponsored by: Bryan’s Supermarket.

School: Omolulu Institute
Class Teacher: Tessa Davis
Sponsoring Hotel: Anguilla Great House
Project 1: A 22nd Century Model Hotel.
Project 2: Plant flowers by WallBlake Airport; a Bake Sale; model Airport and miniature model of Anguilla Great House
Film/ Camera Sponsored by: Gem Exclusiv

School: Island Harbour Primary
Class Teacher: Tr Lester Fleming
Sponsor Hotel: Cinnamon Reef
Project 1: Construct picture frames using shell, seeds, etc. for the class and the Sponsor Hotel.
Project 2: Clean up, care and maintenance of the garden planted by the Previous Hello Tourist class.
Camera/ Film Sponsored by: The Island Pub

School: Morris Vanterpool Primary
Class Teacher: Ingrid Fullerton
Sponsor Hotel: Carimar Beach
Project 1: Beauty in reusing discarded materials to make attractive tourist items.
Project 2: Art/Environmental.
Camera/ Film Sponsored by: Rainbow Isle Shopping Plaza.

School: West End Primary
Class Teacher: Paula Edwards
Sponsor Hotel: Arawak Beach Inn
Project 1: A collage of shells and pictures to be given to host hotel.
Camera/ Film Sponsored by: West End Gas Station.


Recipe of the Month

Ingredients

4 cups green pigeon peas
½ lb salted meat
½ lb sweet potatoes
½ lb pumpkin
8 cups water
1 onion
1 tbsp herbs, (chives garlic, thyme (chopped)
Dumplings

METHOD

Soak meat overnight to remove some of the salt, Trim fat and put to cook. When meat is almost cooked, add peas, potatoes, pumpkin, onion and seasonings. Bring to boil then add dumplings. Simmer gently until all the ingredients are tender and the dumplings cooked. Remove dumplings, meat and some pieces of vegetables. Keep hot in covered dish. Mash remaining vegetables and return to the soup. Add margarine, black pepper to taste and simmer for about 5 minutes longer, stirring occasionally to prevent the mashed vegetables sticking. Serve hot with generous helpings of dumplings, vegetables and meat!

Bon appetit!!!!

 

Recipe of The Month

The month of May is celebrated by Anguillians as the month when “the mouse roared” and demanded its freedom from political union with St Kitts. The 1967 revolution is celebrated today on May 30th, Anguilla Day. Events such as a colourful Official Parade, Sports meets and a Round-the-Island Boat race are fitting commemoratives of this event.

In recognition of Anguilla Day, we are pleased to present this recipe for one of the island’s national dishes, Pigeon Pea Soup, Anguillian Style, from the recipe books of teachers Bernice Fahie-Richardson, Leonie Richardson, Carmen Hughes and the late Donice Hodge. Party Hearty this Anguilla Day with some delicious homegrown pea soup!

On the Rep Site

United States

Anguilla’s Public Relations representatives, Keating and Associates have arranged a number of Press visits to the island over the next two weeks. From May 20-24, 2002, 2 press writers and a photographer will be on island. Ms Maxine Manor is the Editor of Bestfares.com, an internet site with a circulation of some 180,000 readers that highlights discounted travel bargains from around the country, and covers the best rates available at a given destination, including descriptions of special offers. Ms Jesse Pompeii is the Editor of Schroeder Publishing, with responsibility for three Atlanta weekly newspapers, Atlanta Buckhead, Atlanta North and Atlanta Intown, with a circulation of 80,000 readers. Ms Carol Lee, photographer out of St Croix is on assignment to update the ATB’s slide library.

During their stay they will be accommodated at Carimar Beach Club, and will participate in a number of the activities available on the island as they gather information for a general destination piece.

Meanwhile Ms Laurel Herman, editor of Recommend Magazine will be on island from May 29th to June 3rd. She will be hosted by Cap Juluca hotel, and will undertake an island tour and engage in some of the island’s activities in preparation for a general destination article.

In addition, Mr Joshua David of Gourmet magazine will be on island at the end of May in preparation for an article on the island which will focus on the island’s Boat Building heritage, fishing in Anguilla and Boatracing, Anguilla’s National Sport.

Italy

ATB Italy in association with St. Martin’s Europe office and Air France will be coordinating the visit of Carlo Piccinelli, journalist with Nautica, a monthly magazine specializing in sailing and nautical leisure, sports and travel, with a circulation of 51, 000 high-income readers. The article, which will come out in Summer 2002, will feature Boat racing and Carnival on Anguilla. Mr Piccinelli will be on island from May 29th to June 3rd, 2002 to cover the round-the-island Boatrace for Anguilla Day.

Germany

According to the ATB Germany office the findings of a recent market survey show that bookings for the summer season are currently down by about 13%. The companies say that a tangible feeling of insecurity amongst consumers in the German market has an impact on the profit forecasts of tourism in particular. Only DERTOUR announced positive pre-booking situation and even an increase in Caribbean business. Anguilla is again featured in the Winter 2002/2003 and summer 2003 programs for DERTOUR, with a total of four properties being represented. Unfortunately due to budget cuts, ATB Germany will be unable to participate in the 2nd Caribbean Day put on by AirTours later this year. Meanwhile, Anguilla continues to net some exposure in the media through positive press releases and editorials.

United Kingdom

ATB-UK is engaged in a number of initiatives aimed at raising awareness of the destination in the marketplace.

Arrangements have been finalized for the visit of Mr and Mrs Marzjck, winners of the Granada TV competition held in association with Carib Tours, Malliouhana Hotel & Spa and the Anguilla Tourist Board. The couple will be on island for their 7-day prize trip from May 29th to June 4th, 2002.Discussions are also ongoing with ITC Classics, and representatives of Cap Juluca and Malliouhana Hotels for a press trip to the island from June 15 - 21, 2002, while 14 Caribbean specialists are expected on the island from June 26th to 30th, 2002 as part of a Grand Familiarization Program being organized by CTO for some 60 travel agents.


Calendar of Events

May

25 - Annual Leeward Islands Talented Teen Show.
26 - Reading of Anguilla Day Messages in churches.
27 - Schools Cultural Night
28 - The Walter Hodge memorial lecture
29 - Schools Rally
30 - Anguilla Day Parade
31 - Round the island boat-race


Stat Facts

SUMMARY:APRIL 2002

April visitor arrivals declined in 2002 by 16.3% compared to 2001 for the same period last year. The percentage decline for March and April was 5.4%, which is a slight improvement on the average decline of 7% for January and February. Total visitor arrivals were 8,167 in April 2002 compared to 9,755 for last year.

In April, tourist arrivals were the main source of the decline. They declined 26% from 6,053 in April 2001 to 4,483 this year. Again using the average for the two-month period to adjust for the seasonal influence, visitor arrivals declined an average of 12.6% in March and April compared to 15.3% in January and February, again showing a slight improvement. Part of this improvement during the last two months can be attributed to the success of the Moonsplash festival, which took place in March. In total over the first four months of this year tourist arrivals declined 13.8% but was 6% higher than in 2000. Excursionist arrivals declined marginally in April by 0.5%. They numbered 3,684 in April 2002 compared to 3,702 last year.

(Courtesy the Statistics Unit: April 2002)