Dale Pusching, Judi Schultz,
Dagmar Truhlarova,
Sheila Gallant-Halloran
Candis Niles, Director of Tourism, Anguilla Tourist Board and
Sherille Hughes, Paradise Cove
Lillian Day of Resort To The Best & Suzanne Christie
For such a tiny island, Anguilla (“rhymes with vanilla”) sure has a lot going for it. And as someone who has been lucky enough to visit this tiny, but very special, destination, I was pleased to make my re-acquaintance with it last week.
Six hoteliers plus several Tourist Board staffers, including the new director of tourism, Candis Niles, came to Toronto last week to host a variety of social and educational events. They included a posh “afternoon tea and stylish cocktails” at the Park Hyatt Hotel. And even with distractions such as A-Rod and members of the New York Yankees drifting in and out of the lobby, the images of this wonderful island kept our attention.
Dale Pusching, the always-enthusiastic director of sales for Canada, was careful to point out that the island really isn’t that hard to get to. Sure there are no flights from Canada (in fact no commercial jets at all, just private jets, of which they get lots), but if you can get your client as far as St. Martin it’s just a 20 minute boat or ferry ride away.
Once there the resorts are some of the most famous in the Caribbean, including Cap Juluca, the brand new Viceroy and CuisinArt – which sounds like a blender but is actually a blend of divine villa accommodation and high end spa. And there are over 150 villas available to rent, perfect for intimate destination weddings or family gatherings.
But it’s not all about fancy-schmancy. Clients can also stay at charming Bed and Breakfasts, or rent affordable apartments for their stays.
And if you’ve not ever sold Anguilla, you may be missing the boat. Sales are up 24% from Canada so far this year. And with a huge repeat factor, you may have those clients for life!
