Anguilla Tourist Board has seen record-breaking tourist arrivals in 2019, the highest in 27 years and representing an overall 20% growth.
The tourist board is expecting the growing trend to continue in 2020 thanks to new hotel openings set to debut next year.
It is also preparing to reveal a whole new look for Anguilla after completing an extensive audit and content shoot of the island?s hidden adventures. Visitors in 2020 can now look forward to exploring untapped corners of Anguilla and its offshore cays in a series of off-the-beaten path experiences.
The audit has uncovered some remarkable new experiences which will be revealed in a series of imagery and footage in 2020.
On the main island, visitors can now join guided hikes through the rugged north to discover the island?s arch and little-known Goat Cave where they can cool off in the blue and yellow rock pools. They can also be taken to amazing cliff diving spots across the Island. There?s a shipwreck to discover just off Sandy Ground.
Carolyn Brown, director for the UK, Ireland & Scandinavia for the tourist board, said: ?Anguilla has firmly established itself as one of the Caribbean?s leading beach and culinary destinations, but this year, we?re looking forward to revealing a whole new adventurous side to the Island which we believe will significantly broaden its appeal to UK visitors.
?We believe that this, combined with the arrival of worldwide specialist tour operators such as Virgin Holidays, and the relaunch of Kenwood Travel next year will make the Island more accessible to UK travellers. Plus over the last 12 months, we have been working extensively with the trade to help them to update, enhance and expanded their Anguilla product in response to demand, meaning that 2020 could be another record-breaking year.?
The boost in tourists in 2019 is attributed to the opening and re-opening of several resorts including Belmond Cap Juluca, Quintessence, a Relais and Ch?teaux property, CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa and Malliouhana an Auberge Resort. Further, Trans Anguilla Airways improved access for UK visitors by launching a scheduled service from Antigua.
Following the successful launch of Extraordinary Eats in 2019, the three-week celebration of Anguillian food, culture and culinary arts across the Island is returning from April 5-26, 2020. Highlights of the event include the Chef?s Extraordinaire during which Anguilla?s home-grown chefs return to the Island to host live cookery demonstrations and tastings for visitors. Restaurants and hotels throughout the Island will be running special discounts and promotions and the annual Festival Del Mar, a celebration of all things from the sea, will take place over the middle Easter weekend (April 11-12) at Island Harbour.
For more information, go to www.ivisitanguilla.com
