Sun, sand and surf – Anguilla has these in abundance for travelers seeking Caribbean vacations straight out of their dreams! Dotted with over 30 sparkling white and coral pink beaches on a petite 35 square mile canvas, this island paradise unsurprisingly depends on tourism for over 70% of its economy. Close to 78,000 privileged visitors made their way to Anguilla’s shores in 2019, getting pampered at luxury hotels and reveling in all kinds of water adventures.
But with climate change threats looming, the race is on for Anguilla to balance profitability with sustainability as it emerges from the pandemic tourism slump. Ambitious plans require finding the sweet spot across expansion of rooms, upgrading tourism infrastructure to handle more tourists, penetration of digital enablers and skilling up locals. And all this while doubling down on renewable energy, water security and climate-resilient transport for the island.
Expanding the room inventory in a planned manner will be key to accommodate more visitors while preventing overcrowding. This could involve selective development of boutique resorts and villas in inland areas to promote dispersal away from coastlines.
Developing community-based tourism through new experiences showcasing Anguillan culture and heritage can attract new types of travelers. For instance, agri-tourism initiatives involving local farms and fisheries can educate visitors about Anguillan cuisine and traditions. Investing in nature trails, birdwatching and other ecotourism activities will appeal to adventure seekers as well as help conserve Anguilla’s natural environment. A renewed focus on skills training and entrepreneurship programs will ensure local residents directly benefit from tourism growth through quality job opportunities.
Luckily, as veterans in sustainable and profitable tourism consulting, we can help Anguilla strike that delicate balance! Our expertise spans masterplans to enhance exclusivity for high-end travelers, customer experience design, regeneration projects and climate proofing critical infrastructure. With a slow and steady approach recommended in our tourism playbook, this little island can deliver big gains across jobs, entrepreneurship and community development! And Anguilla’s magnificent beaches will continue conjuring those tropical vacation dreams for generations more!
