The 25th Annual General Meeting of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association (AHTA) was held on Monday 22nd May at the Anguilla Great House. The President, Sherille Hughes, addressed the attending AHTA members, the Hon Deputy Governor Mark Capes and invited guests from Government with her annual President’s Report.

Mrs Hughes spoke of the challenges the association faced as it weathered 3 changes in leadership but was pleased to report that there had been many successes despite this. One of the achievements was a major increase in membership to the association, another additional support provided by the Government of the National Culinary Team. In addition to numerous marketing accomplishments and industry development initiatives, the association continued to serve its growing membership and create opportunities for them to grow their business. She finished with a wish to see the membership continue to be involved in the direction of the Association as the Association was only as strong as the members it served.

Three Directors were up for retirement by rotation and they were; S Alfred Thompson, (Carimar Beach Club) Janine Edwards, (Sunset Homes/Spyglass Hill Villa) and Denise Romney, (Villa Coyoba). After a secret ballot was counted for the appointment of three new Officers the results for re-election to the board were S Alfred Thompson and Janine Edwards as well as a newly appointed Officer Stephane Zaharia, (General Manager of Cuisinart Resort and Spa). The Board of Directors will meet in the coming weeks to confirm these appointments and vote on who will hold the Executive Positions.

Trudy Nixon, the Executive Director then introduced the guest speaker - Cuthbert Didier, General Manager of the Rodney Bay Marina in St Lucia and a respected Taxation Consultant who proceeded to make a lively presentation on the dangers of over-taxation of the hospitality sector in the Caribbean. This was followed by a question and answer session which many of the association members and invited guests contributed to.

The meeting ended with a cocktail party, hosted by Mr Wil Fleming of the Anguilla Great House and the 50 plus guests mingled and continued their discussions over delicious hor d’ouerves.

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