Absolutely the most beautiful and interesting magazine on Anguilla yet - the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association launch “Absolutely Anguilla” their new visitor magazine for the 2008 season, at a well attended breakfast event at the Savannah Art Gallery in Crocus Hill.

Absolutely Anguilla is published annually for each new tourism season. It has a circulation of 45,000 copies, most of which are distributed on Anguilla – it is designed to be both an on island guide for our visitors during their stay as well as being a beautiful souvenir of their visit to take home and keep as a reminder to come back soon. Copies of the magazine can be found in all major hotel and villa properties and are distributed at the ports of entry and other busy areas including banks, government buildings and the library.

The magazine content is entirely “Anguillian” and features a range of commissioned stories, articles and original photographs from Anguillian Belongers and Residents. Its intent is to give our visitors a very special insight into aspects of both Anguillian culture and to reflect our wonderful tourism product - providing the very essence of the “Anguilla Experience”. As well as interesting stories the magazine also provides island information, a full calendar of events and comprehensive listings of our accommodation properties and restaurants, who are members of the AHTA – to aid booking as they plan their return trip.

The new magazine includes a exciting historical adventure story recounting the tale of the 2 Spanish galleons that sunk off Anguilla in 1492 by respected island Historian Colville Petty: 2 humorous short stories on Anguilla’s ‘Abominable Roosters’ and strange fruit – the Goosey – by Maris Edwards; a fascinating insight into the cultural roots of Anguilla – our ‘tapestry’ of people by up and coming Anguillian writer Dwayne L Adams and a ‘through my window” look at the much loved village of Sandy Ground.

Local photographers Susan Croft and Chris Mason have provided many stunning images – including Susan’s beautiful portrait of Denitra Richardson and Calisah Bufffonge, 2 young girls dressed in their ‘Sunday best’.

Trudy Nixon the Executive Director of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association says: “We hope visitors, locals and residents alike enjoy this very special magazine. All tourism destinations produce on island guides or ‘in room books’ as they are sometimes called – and they can be pretty standard fare – featuring predictable content and lots of generic advertising,, with Absolutely Anguilla we are breaking that mould, we have concentrated on producing a beautiful, content rich magazine which provides a unique insight into Anguilla, something so unique and interesting that our visitors can’t leave the island without taking it home to share with their friends and families. We really hope you like it too as we want those who live here to embrace it as ‘their’ magazine and to take it with them when they visit abroad as a calling card.”

The Publishers, Concepts Advertising say “We are so proud of our first edition of the magazine and want to thank everyone who has both contributed and advertised – we look forward to working with you again. We would also like to urge any writers or photographers who have an idea for next years “Absolutely Anguilla” to please let us know, as we are keen to foster and encourage new Anguillian talent in the creative field.

The launch party for the magazine was held at the beautiful Savannah Gallery in Crocus Hill from 9 – 11a.m on Monday 16th December. Close to 100 guests gathered together to enjoy Danish Pastries and Mimosa’s and to collect their special commemorative copy of the Magazine. Those attending included the Contributors, members of the AHTA and staff of the ATB, Government Officials, Taxi Drivers and Port Officials.

Anyone wishing to get hold of copies of the magazine should call Trudy Nixon or Gilda Gumbs Samuel at the AHTA on 497 2944. If you would like to submit an idea for a storyline or a photo shoot for the next edition of the magazine please contact Trudy Nixon.




Anguilla Tourism Gala and Awards Ceremony 2007
30th November 2007, Zurra Restaurant, Temenos Golf Clubhouse

Tourism Professionals are recognized at Anguilla's most glittering
event.....Stephane Zaharia, General Manager of Cuisinart Resort and Spa is
this years "Hotelier of the Year"....

Described by one guest as 'a landmark event in Anguilla's tourism history'
the Tourism Gala and Awards, held at Zurra Restaurant on Friday 30th
November was a top class event featuring a televised 'Oscar style' awards
ceremony, wonderful food in a glorious setting, fine wines and the biggest
door prize draw ever seen in Anguilla.

The venue spectacularly dressed and lit by the staff of Zurra and talented
Black Orchid Florists hosted 180 tourism professionals - all dressed to the
nines - truly was a reflection of Anguillas uniquely up market tourism
product. The guests were photographed and filmed as they arrived on the Red
Carpet. They enjoyed a cocktail reception courtesy of headline sponsor
National Bank of Anguilla before being escorted to their seats by the
'Diamond International Girls'. Each table was named after a different
Anguilla Beach and graphics for the tables were produced by local Artist,
Joanne Mason. Once seated the guests were able to watch video footage of
their arrival on the red carpet whilst enjoying their first courses. Denise
and Rocklyn Maynard of Professional Photographers produced the live video
footage of the arrivals and filmed the awards ceremony which was shown on
multiple screens around the venue creating an 'Oscar like' feeling - a first
for Anguilla. Fine wines were provided by Robert Mondavi by their agent, Les
Grands Vins de France, Diamonds International provided a gift box for each
guest and Boss provided music before, during and after the ceremony.

The ceremony commenced with an Invocation delivered by Chris Richardson,
followed by a speech of introduction from the Hon Donna Banks, Special
Advisor Tourism and then E Val Banks, CEO of National Bank of Anguilla - the
headline sponsor - welcomed guests.

Amelia Vanterpool Kubisch, Director of Tourism Anguilla Tourist Board and
Trudy Nixon, Executive Director Anguilla Hotel and Tourism then took over to
host the actual awards ceremony. The fast moving awards ceremony honored
tourism professionals across a number of categories and the excitement of
the crowd was palpable as most of the awardees were unaware that they would
be honored that night.

The 2007 Anguilla Tourism Awards were awarded as follows:

Pioneer Awards, sponsored by Caribbean Commercial Bank
* Sue and Robin Ricketts
* George Hodge

Ports Employees of the Year, sponsored by First Caribbean International Bank
* Marie Harrigan, Seaport Employee of the Year
* Glen Boothe, Airport Employee of the Year

Allied Member of the Year, sponsored by Cap Juluca
* Anne and Peter Parles, Straw Hat Restaurant

Employee of the Year, sponsored by the National Bank of Anguilla
Nominated: Travis Simpson, Golf Operations - Temenos and Arnold Hunt, Ku
* Winner: Altagracia Ramirez, Cap Juluca

Supervisor of the Year, sponsored by the National Bank of Anguilla
Nominated: Delbert Simpson, CuisinArt Resort and Spa and Darlene Hodge,
Rendezvous Bay Hotel
* Winner: Norwell Proctor, Cap Juluca

Special Commendation for Services to Tourism:
* Sylvene Petty

The Awards presentation culminated with a champagne toast as Trudy Nixon
read out the commendation for 2007 Hotelier of the Year, sponsored by Scotia
Bank Anguilla Ltd. The winner was:
* Stephane Zaharia, CuisinArt Resort and Spa

"Stephane Zaharia is a new General Manager in Anguilla yet he is already
recognized for his community spirit and involvement in the professional
tourism arena. Cuisinart has worked with the Anguilla Tourist Board and the
AHTA on a number of great marketing initiatives that have brought huge
expose to Anguilla generally".

The announcement of Mr Zaharhia's success in receiving the coveted trophy
was greeted with a huge round of applause from his colleagues in the tourism
industry.

Also during the evening, Trudy Nixon and Gilda Gumbs Samuel, Events Manager
at the AHTA entertained the crowd with the hugely enjoyable 'Door Prize
Draw'. Nearly 40 fantastic gifts had been donated by members of the AHTA and
other businesses and the atmosphere was electric as lucky winners came up to
pick their prize. Prizes included hotel and villa stays, restaurant
vouchers, gift vouchers, flights, spa treatments, golf lessons and the
'star' prize - a 3carat diamond and gold tennis bracelet from Diamonds
International.

The evening drew to a close as Bob and Melinda Blanchard introduced their
'family' of staff from Zurra and Blanchard's who had worked together to
provide exemplary service and delicious food for the Guests. Amelia
Vanterpool Kubisch then thanked all the sponsors, guests, organizers and
everyone who had been involved in the undoubted success of the evening. The
evening ended with guests dancing to Boss and it was a wonderful end to an
excellent event to see "Teacher' George Hodge, a Pioneer Award Winner,
dancing elegantly with his lovely wife.

The Tourism Gala is the final event of Tourism Week, which takes place every
year during the last week of November. Tourism Week is organized by the
Ministry of Tourism, The Anguilla Tourist Board and the Anguilla Hotel and
Tourism Association.

Coming to visit?

We look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful Island and we have accomodations to match every pocket. Please use the links section of this website to link directly to some of our member properties - from small inns to luxury hotels and intimate family villas to architechural prizewinners we have a lot to offer. Don't forget members of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association are properties that show commitment to training staff, developing their services and being flagships for our tourism community.

You can also use the links section to check out our very valued allied members for restaurant and tourism services recommendations.

Have you visited our acution site yet? We have new lots coming live on a regular basis and you can see from previous packages some winners have walked away with fantastic bargains. If you would like to be notified of new lots as they come live email me on ahta@anguillanet.com to visit the site click www.anguillaauctions.com .

If you want to see a list of UPCOMING packages on the auction site click full list by clicking here

best wishes, and we look forward to seeing you,

Executive Director Trudy Nixon

Trudy Nixon
Executive Director

Thank you for those members who attended the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2007

Election of Officers returned Karle Conner and 2 new officers were elected: Catherine Orchard and Karle Conner.

AHTA Directors for 2007/2008 are (in Alphabetical Order):


Karle Connor, Anguilla Homes and Gardens
Janine Edwards, Sunset Homes/Spyglass Hill Villa
Mimi Gratton, Cap Juluca
Sherille Hughes, Paradise Cove
Delroy Lake, Ku
Catherine Orchard, Anguilla Villa Company
Mark Romney, Cable & Wireless
Alfred Thompson, Carimar Beach Club
Stephane Zaharia, Cuisinart Resort & Spa

If you would like a copy of the Minutes, or Presidents Report please contact Trudy Nixon, Executive Director on email ahta@anguillanet.com

More flights for Anguilla

We are delighted to announce that American Eagle has released it's new shedule and there will be an increase in flights to Anguilla for the 2006/2007 season. There will be 2 daily flights from 15th December - check schedules for exact times but the flights are expected to be from San Juan at 2.00pm and 8.55pm and out of Anguilla at 8.15pm and 3.40pm. to view the press release from American Eagle click HERE.

For an update on next years National Culinary Team click here. If you would like to be know more about becoming a member of the National Culinary Team please email Trudy Nixon on ahta@anguillnet.com

NEW MEMBERS: To get acquainted with our new members for 2007/2008 click here…

New Anguilla Taxi Rates for 2005/2006 Taxi rates will no longer be determined by port of entry. The new system divides the island into 10 zones and rates will be determined by the zones traveled.
NEW TAXI RATES 2005/2006

Anguilla Phone Book Online
You may or may not be aware that the Anguilla Phone Book is on-line...below please find a link that I find to be most useful...
Anguilla White and Yellow Pages

ANGUILLA AUCTIONS
Great deals on hotel stays donated by members of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association.
Check them out!