Anguilla: Tourism Summary Data 1st Quarter, January – March 2005 2005 got off to a noteworthy start for tourism in Anguilla with regards to visitor arrivals. The good performance in visitor arrivals experienced during the latter part of 2004 “spilled” over into the first three months of 2005 resulting in a 29.0 percent increase. Total arrivals were 44,388 for this period compared to 34,532 in 2004. All three months (January – March) recorded increases, March having the largest percentage increase of 37.0 percent followed by January with 28.0 percent and February with 20.0 percent. Tourists (Stay over) During the 1st quarter this type of visitor performed considerably well. Arrivals totaled 18,635 compared to 15,989 in 2004 resulting in a 17.0 percent increase. This is encouraging after coming off a fourth quarter when December was the only month that recorded a slight increase of 5.0 percent and with an overall decline during that period of 1.0 percent. January, February and March showed increases of 19.0 percent, 12.0 percent and 20.0 percent respectively. The 18,635 tourists that visited during this period were the highest total in arrivals to Anguilla since 1999, when 16,395 tourists visited. March 2005 recorded the highest number in arrivals of 6,997. This was also the largest influx of persons to the island in any one month since 1999.
Anguilla:Tourist Arrivals 1st qtr 1999 - 2005 20000 Thousands 15000 10000 5000 0 1999 2000 Tourists 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Years
The route that tourists take to come to Anguilla is changing. They are increasingly coming by sea to Anguilla. The airport is usually the main port of entry for tourists. 46.3 percent or 8,645 of overall tourist arrivals entered through the Airport for this first quarter 2005, a 9 percent increase over the same period last year. Blowing Point port received 53.2 percent of overall tourist arrivals, up 47.0 percent from the first quarter
2004. 9,915 persons entered Anguilla through this port. Sandy Ground was the port of entry for 75 persons for this period. 16 percent of tourists visiting Anguilla during January to March stayed for a period of 13 days. 42 percent stayed for just under a week and 43 percent stayed for a week or more. The average length of stay was 8.5 days compared to 7.9 days in 2004. Arrivals from the Canadian market during the first quarter 2005 increased 24.0 percent over the same period last year, followed by tourists from the United Kingdom with 32.0 percent and the U.S.A with 19.0 percent. Arrivals from the German market and Other European countries fell by 65.0 percent and 38.0 percent respectively. Excursionists (Day-Trippers) Excursionists to Anguilla for the first quarter were 39.0 percent higher than the same period in 2004. 25,753 excursionists made Anguilla a day-trip destination while on vacation during the first quarter of this year. January and February registered increases of 36.0 percent and 27.0 percent respectively and arrivals during March increased 53.0 percent surpassing the overall quarterly percentage increase of 39.0 percent.
A n g u illa : E x cu rsio n ist A rriv a ls 1 st q tr 1 9 9 9 - 2 0 0 5
Thousan
3 0 ,00 0 ds 2 0 ,00 0 1 0 ,00 0 1999 2 00 0 2001 2 00 2 2003 2 0 04 20 0 5
Y ears
E x cu rs io n ists
As is expected, Blowing Point had the largest number in arrivals for this type of visitor. Most excursionists are persons vacationing in St. Martin who then take the ferry over to Anguilla. 20,540 persons or 80.0 percent of excursionists passed through this port, representing an increase of 49.0 percent over the corresponding period of 2004. 17.0 percent entered through the port at Sandy Ground and 2.0 percent of overall excursionists entered via the Airport. The U.S.A. was the country from where most excursionists originated (11,332). Italy recorded the largest increase in excursionist arrivals of 78.4 percent for this period compared to 2004. Arrivals from Canada, the U.K., Germany and Other European Countries were up 106.0 percent, 46.0 percent, 20.4 percent and 33.0 percent respectively in relation to the same period in 2004.
Cruise Passengers 18 small sized cruise vessels visited Anguilla between January and March 2005 with an overall passenger total of 3,455 persons. Each vessel carried on average a total of 192 passengers. This compares to the 4,040 passengers who arrived on 24 vessels for the same period last year, with each carrying an average of 168 passengers. Tourist Expenditure During the first quarter 2005, tourists spent an estimated US$25.1 million on accommodation, dining and other sundry costs, while excursionists spent US$1.5 million. This is in comparison to US$19.1 million spent by tourists for the same period in 2004 and US$1.0 spent by excursionists.
This report along with other Tourism Data, are available at the Government of Anguilla’s website: http://gov.ai/statistics/tourism.htm