5,447 visitors arrived in Anguilla during the month of October 2003, which represented a decline of 6.9% in comparison to October 2002, when there were 5,850 visitors. This month’s figure accounted for the fourth largest monthly decline for the year but the second largest recorded figure for October since 1999. The total number of visitors for the year to date was 89,538, a 3.1% decline when compared to 92,377 in 2002.

Tourists (Stay-Over Visitors)

October 2003 was the strongest month of October for tourists since 1999. This month saw 1,712 tourist arrivals to the island as compared to 1,619 in 2002 a 5.7% increase. There was a slight increase of 3.9% in the total number of tourist arrivals to the island, for the year thus far, 36,601 as compared to 35,212 in 2002.

Tourist arrivals contributed only a small portion, 31.4% to the overall visitor arrivals. Of the 1,712 tourist arrivals, Wallblake airport was the port that accounted for nearly 60% of the arrivals, while Sandy Ground and Blowing Point registered 40.5% and 0.3% respectively.

34.6% of the 1,712 of tourist arrivals spent 4-7 days. 32.6% spent 1-3 days, 21.2% spent 8-15 days, 7.3% and 4.3% spent 16-22 and 23+ days respectively. The average length of stay for October was 7.9 days as compared to 7.4 in 2002.

The main market from which tourists came this month was from the USA with 39.5% of arrivals to Anguilla coming from this market. Other countries showing large contributions to visitor arrivals were the Caribbean with 14.8%, Dutch West Indies (St. Maaten) 11.6%, French West Indies (St. Martin) 10.4% and Europe with 10.2%. United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, Germany and Other showed market shares of 5.6%, 3.2%, 0.8% and 3.1% respectively.

Excursionists (Less than 24 hour visitors)

Excursionists, was the main contributor to the decline in total visitor arrivals because they represent the majority at 68.6 of all visitor arrivals to Anguilla. Total excursionist arrivals up to the end of the month of October were 52,937 compared to 57,165 in 2002, showing a decline of 7.4%.

For Excursionists, USA was the largest contributor to market share with 37.2%. Other countries showing large contributions were Dutch West Indies (St. Maaten), French West Indies (St. Martin), Europe, the Caribbean with 16.3%, 14.8%, 12.4%, and 6.6% respectively.

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