Vanessa Lee, Cruise Strategies & the Anguilla Tourist Board's Dale Pusching
Susan Coulton, Frangipani Resort;
David Lyon, Cuisinart & Marie Walker,
Anguilla Tourist Board
One of the most famous beaches in Anguilla – lovely Meads Bay
It may just be 3 x 16 miles but tiny Anguilla punches way above its weight when it comes to the visitor experience. Can you imagine a town the size of Anguilla – just 14,500 people – that has over 120 restaurants? An 18 hole Greg Norman golf course? And 33 beaches of floury white sand?
That was just part of the message that a group of Anguilian hoteliers and tourism folks gave during a recent visit to YTO. “We’re delighted to see that more and more agents have discovered the best kept secret in the Caribbean - Anguilla. And now they even know how to pronounce it!” joked Dale Pusching, Director of Sales for Canada. (For the record, Anguilla rhymes with vanilla.)
A total of 5 tour operators now feature the tiny British protectorate in their lineups: Total Vacations, Sunwing, Air Transat, ACV and Enjoy. The island will also be getting a higher profile in your clients’ eyes with recent segments on Canada AM, a current feature in WestJet’s Up! inflight mag and a large spread soon to appear in Air Canada’s enRoute magazine.
And if they go, your clients may spot a few celebs. In the past year, the island has welcomed the likes of Paul McCartney, Michael J. Fox and Sofia Vergara.
But lest the island get a reputation for being just for the rich and/or famous, officials are always careful to spell out the affordable ways to visit the island. Recommend a Charming Escapes property (casual apartments, B+Bs and small inns). Dine at one of the many funky toes-in-the-sand restaurants. And take advantage of many off-season bargains at even the swankiest Anguilla hotels.
No wonder visitors from Canada were up 17% last year – and on track to be that impressive for 2012. The secret’s officially out!
