In recent weeks, the Caribbean has been hit by a wave of travelers. In 2017, more than 100 million visitors flowed through local airports and ports in Anguilla – where international arrivals account for nearly one-fifth of total economic output. But this year’s hurricane season turned out to be much worse for tourism than anyone predicted. Fewer flights left from Antigua’s airport; many tourists canceled their trips; hotels were full with returning guests who had decided to stay home rather than risk traveling during what was now an active hurricane season.; Now it seems like the island is finally getting back on its feet after Hurricane Irma devastated everything that stood before it except cruise ships which are able to come into port every day even though they don’t dock because there isn’t enough space at shoreside facilities.,
The Anguilla travel restrictions have been lifted, which has allowed the island to expand its traveler options.
Kenroy Herbert, who was named chairman of the Anguilla Tourist Board (ATB) in July 2020, began his career in the hotel industry in a quite different capacity. He learnt tourism from the ground up as a resident of Anguilla.
Despite his training as a chemist, he was lured to the hotel industry. He immediately started working at the premium golf course that is now part of the new Aurora Anguilla Resort as a member of the crew.
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Herbert stated earlier this month, “I had a [chemical] scholarship and it was foolish to take it down.” “However, I’ve always wanted to work in the hotel industry.”
He began as a caddy with the goal of learning the resort operations industry. On the golf course, Herbert met a renowned hotelier and negotiated his way into a post as villa manager. He is now the head of the board of the organization that oversees Anguilla’s vital tourist sector.
American Airlines has announced the start of twice-weekly flights from Miami to Anguilla beginning December 11, making it the first direct route to the island from a U.S. gateway. Beginning January 2, 2022, the frequency of departures will be increased to three per week.
“However, you want that high-end experience to be available at all times.” Kenroy Herbert (Kenroy Herbert)
We recently met with Herbert to get his take on Anguilla’s tourism, both now and in the future.
TP: How has your time as chairman of the ATB, which started during the epidemic, gone thus far?
“COVID made our tenure difficult.” KH: There was no tourist the first year. Our borders had been shut down. Fortunately, this is my second term on the board. From 2017 until 2019, I was a member. I returned as chairman of this government.”
TP: How is your company striving to enhance the tourist experience in Anguilla?
KH: As someone who travels often for work, I’ve seen the good, the terrible, and the ugly. Anguilla is a high-end resort island. However, we want that high-end experience to be available at all times, even when you come on the island and leave. When the new ferry port at Blowing Point is completed, we will have steel pan players providing live entertainment on busy arrival days. The port is expected to be completed in 12 to 14 months; I’d guess the first quarter of 2023.
TP: Do you have any further plans in the works?
KH: The Tourist Board also manages the dock at Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten. We’re working on a public-private collaboration for a new port facility with a private enterprise. Once we receive the OKs, [the parties] will begin building, and ideally, the [Blowing Point terminal] will be completed at the same time, which would be a game-changer for passengers flying from St. Maarten to Anguilla.
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TP: What services and facilities will be available to travelers at the new St. Maarten facility?
KP: The port of [St. Maarten] will be able to accommodate 4,000 people each day. It will have four dock slips, four VIP departure lounges with branding opportunities for hotels, and a large [main] departure lounge. It’s a seaport with restaurants and bars, yet it’s constructed like an airport. When it’s finished, it’ll improve the visiting experience for people coming from St. Maarten. St. Barts might possibly join as a partner.
Anguilla’s international airport is being upgraded. Is the nation still looking into the possibility of building a new airport?
KP: There has been a lot of discussion about our airport. But you’ll need heads if you have all of those beds. Do we want to follow in the footsteps of St. Maarten and unleash the floodgates? No. We want to be able to regulate the flow of passengers as well as the sort of passengers. We need to be extremely smart about how we open up and let aircraft in.
TP: You indicated that you spoke with Richard M. Schulze, the new owner of the Aurora Anguilla Resort, which was formerly known for its CuisinArt cuisine. What are his ambitions for the new high-end residence?
KP: He said that his purpose is to make a statement. He wants [Aurora] to be one of the world’s top 100 resorts. That’s a difficult responsibility, but he’s certainly up to it. He’s renovating a golf course that didn’t need to be redone in the first place. To handle the food and beverage program, he’s engaged a two-Michelin-star chef. There’s a hydroponic farm and an orchard on the way, and Disney is designing the kid’s water park. Aurora is going to be a fantastic project that will raise Anguilla’s overall status.
TP: What other residences on Anguilla will welcome guests this winter?
KH: Belmond Cap Juluca is one of those classic hotels that can’t go wrong [and] was still operating at 90 percent and 100 percent capacity throughout peak season. Despite the fact that the hotel required improvements, guests continued to arrive. Belmond has decided to build a world-class spa facility to the property after purchasing it and renovating it. I believe that people will fly in solely to visit the spa. Since being purchased by Auberge, Malliouhana has held the status of being Anguilla’s first five-star resort. Zemi Beach Resort, on the eastern end of the island, is also fantastic. There are also more villa accommodations on Anguilla than hotel rooms. There are several lodging alternatives available.
TP: How were the first few days after the epidemic when the museum reopened to the public?
KH: The villas were open initially when we tested the waters for reopening. Jimmy Butler, a member of the Miami Heat, visited for ten days. He was, in a sense, a test subject. That’s when the “bubble” notion was born. All hospitality employees, restaurant proprietors, and ground transportation companies were taught to deal with the crowds. The first was [Jimmy Butler], and it was a hit. Since then, we’ve relaxed limits and revised procedures.
TP: Do you think Anguilla handled the epidemic well on the island?
KH: I believe Anguilla did a fantastic job dealing with COVID. When we received our first three instances, we promptly closed our borders. We were considered to be insane. But we didn’t comprehend COVID since we lacked the necessary knowledge. We had to seal our borders, which was difficult due to the departure of people and the closing of hotels.
TP: What was ATB’s immediate reaction?
KH: We came up with the bubble movement after working with certain key stakeholders at the ATB. When we originally began, we focused on the villas, and once that proved to be a success, we moved on to the hotels. People may still go out to eat, go on boat trips, and do other activities. The protocols were successful.
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Anguilla has been expanding their traveler options post-outbreak. They have added new restrictions to the country, which makes it a less desirable destination for travelers. Reference: anguilla covid restrictions.
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