Anguilla’s all-important tourism sector has put Hurricane Irma in its rear-view mirror. 

The island set a new record for tourist arrivals last year, according to new data released by the Anguilla Tourist Board. 

In 2019, Anguilla welcomed 95,375 tourist arrivals to the island, an all-time record. 

Overall, Anguilla reported a 75 pecent jump over 2018. 

It was also 20.4 percent higher than the island’s previous tourism record in 2016, when the destination reported 79,239 stayover visitors. 

The growth was fueled by strong visitation from the United States market, with a 25.2 percent increase in U.S visitors compared to 2016.

“We are delighted to have achieved our target of a 20 percent increase in arrivals over 2016,” said Anguilla Tourist Board Chairperson Donna Daniels-Banks.  “We have set an even more ambitious target for 2020, a further increase of 20 percent over our 2019 arrivals.  This is essential if we are to raise our occupancy levels.”

— CJ