Anguilla Reports Pre-Winter Increase in Arrivals

Anguilla is seeing an uptick in bookings leading into the winter 2009-2010 season, an indication that the challenging travel environment may be giving way to pent-up demand and cautiously optimistic economic news. According to the Anguilla Tourist Board, some key tour operators are reporting brisk business for the last quarter of the year.

“The fall and holidays have picked up significantly,” said Jenna Brunelli, product manager of LibGo WorldWide Travel, a leading wholesaler in the United States with the largest inventory of Anguilla product. “Anguilla is one of our strongest honeymoon destinations and that is one market where we have not seen business fall off. People are still getting married even in the down economy.”

The growth is also the result of aggressive marketing efforts on the part of both the public and private sectors. The ATB launched its prix fixe summer promotion in conjunction with a number of hotel partners back in June, and individual properties such as Cap Juluca and Malliouhana Hotel & Spa have also implemented campaigns to spur demand.

Cap Juluca’s recent $22 million investment in improvements to the property has taken the resort to a higher standard of excellence. The refinements to all 98 guestrooms, with hand-sewn furnishings, designer label amenities and the latest technology, and the resort’s innovative “Eurobbean” fusion cuisine are making waves in the travel industry.

The 28-year-old Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report recently published their annual survey of their sophisticated travelers and their travelers selected Cap Juluca as their No. 1 Caribbean Beach Resort and ranked the resort No. 3 worldwide.

The further expansion of the villa market with the opening of the five-bedroom villas at CuisinArt Resort and Spa, Rum Punch, Almond Tree, Sand Castle Point and Black Pearl villas, among others, have also added to the complement of accommodation options on the island.