At a recent press conference, Anguilla's Minister of Tourism, Haydn Hughes, provided a comprehensive update on the destination, highlighting the island's successful tourism industry recovery. During the first quarter of 2024, visitor arrivals exceeded 2019 figures by 24%, marking a notable post-pandemic resurgence. Hughes also emphasized infrastructure improvements, such as the new passenger terminal at the airport and the development of the Marina, Yacht Club, and Resort at Altamer. Additionally, he highlighted the registration of domain names using artificial intelligence as a key strategy for the island's development.

At the same conference, an exciting event calendar was announced, including the 50th anniversary of the Anguilla Summer Festival and the launch of the Anguilla Tourist Board's Summer Campaign, which will run through August. This campaign aims to promote summer tourism and highlight Anguilla's active experiences beyond its beaches, along with a diverse range of accommodations. Hughes also emphasized the numerous sustainability initiatives underway, which are crucial for both modern travelers and Anguilla's survival as a tourist destination.

Anguilla's participation in the CHTA Travel Marketplace 2024, held in Montego Bay, Jamaica, was highlighted. This event, the largest to date, featured 136 traditional buyer companies from 25 countries and 206 supplier companies from 27 Caribbean countries, totaling 552 delegates. A new element this year was the Caribbean MICE Exchange, which attracted 16 delegates from MICE suppliers from 14 companies.

During the event, Anguilla received praise for its tourism offerings and the performance of its support team. Chantelle Richardson, Deputy Director of Tourism at the Anguilla Tourist Board, noted the optimism of travel partners regarding the island's tourism product. Additionally, several partners reported a significant increase in bookings for the winter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025.

The Anguilla delegation, which included prominent representatives from the tourism and hospitality sectors, met with major tour operators, wholesalers, and online travel platforms, such as Apple Leisure Group, Classic Vacations, Expedia, and Booking.com. These strategic meetings opened new marketing opportunities for Anguilla, reinforcing its position as an attractive and growing tourist destination.

Minister Hughes expressed his satisfaction with the participation in the CHTA Travel Marketplace, highlighting the importance of the forum for gaining market intelligence and exploring new opportunities for Anguilla and the Caribbean region.