THE VALLEY, Anguilla, June 4 ——Anguilla’s Chief Minister and Minister of Tourism Hubert Hughes is in New York for the annual Caribbean Tourism Week – which officially opens on Sunday.
Also visiting the popular American state is the parliamentary secretary responsible for tourism Haydn Hughes, Chairman of the Anguilla Tourist Board Eustace Guishard and the acting Tourist Board Director Merlyn Rogers.
Several private partners in the industry from Anguilla are also in New York for the event. They include Amelia Vanterpool-Kubish and Susan Snart of Malliouhana, David Lyons of Cuisinart, Charles Black and Gary Thulander from Cap Juluca, Virgil Napier of Viceroy and Ian ‘Sugar George’ Edwards of Sunset Homes, who all financed their participation at the events.
Anguilla’s North American Tourism rep Marie Walker organised a media luncheon for the local delegation in the Time Warner building and attended by the who’s who of the world travel media.
Some 45 press personnel attened the event including reps from Travel and Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, Destination Weddings and Honeymoons, Esquire and Brides magazine. Several radio personalities were also present.
Chief Minister Hughes spoke about the vision for Anguilla’s Tourism product going forward. Hughes assured the attendees that “Anguilla will continue to be a high quality, low density destination while promoting all properties on island including those that do not have the capacity of promoting themselves internationally.”
The parliamentary secretary dealt with the question and answer segment of the media luncheon.
The Anguilla delegation also met with a group of tourism experts hosted by the famed CBS Travel writer Peter Greenberg at Pierre Hotel on Fifth Avenue in New York. Several writers. travel agents, tour operators and other industry partners attended the event. Chief Minister and Minister of Tourism Hubert Hughes addressed the gathering on the present and future of Anguilla’s tourism product and offerings.
Parliamentary Secretary Haydn Hughes introduced Klara Glowczewska, the Editor-in-Chief of Conde Nast Traveler. Ms. Glowczewska, who has traveled to Anguilla over 20 times, spoke about her relationship with Anguilla and gave insights on the travel marketplace.
Chief Minister Hughes presented Ms. Glowczewska with the Anguilla Pioneer award. This award has been won by many individuals including Sue and Robin Ricketts and Nigel Roydon.
Haydn Hughes spoke about access to the island, the golf course and the tourism industry at large, while Merlyn Rogers provided an overview of the destination. Gary Thulander, David Lyons, Amelia Vanterpool-Kubish and Virgil Napier also made brief presentations.
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