TORONTO — Anguilla is turning its attention to Canada in a big way, pairing record-breaking visitor growth with new air access, ongoing Canadian representation and a slate of initiatives designed to keep the Caribbean destination’s momentum going.
The Anguilla Tourist Board (ATB) has appointed Toronto-based Jesson & Company Communications Inc. as its Public Relations, Sales & Marketing Agency of Record in Canada, effective July 1, 2026.
The appointment comes as Canada, Anguilla’s second-largest source market, delivers significant growth for the destination. Canadian stayover arrivals increased 40% year over year in the first quarter of 2026, climbing from 2,138 in Q1 2025 to 2,993 in Q1 2026.
Jesson & Company Communications will support ATB’s media relations, travel trade engagement, content development, sales and marketing initiatives across Canada, working with journalists, influencers, travel advisors and industry partners.
“We are so pleased to be working with Jesson & Company Communications again as Anguilla approaches its next winter travel season riding a wave of positive momentum and perception,” said the Cardigan Connor, Minister of Health, Tourism and Sports. “There are few agencies with as much expertise in the sector, and we are confident their familiarity and passion for the destination will help them create new opportunities among Canadians seeking an elevated and perfected Caribbean experience.”
Barbara Jesson, CEO and Founder of Jesson & Company Communications Inc., added: “Canadians are increasingly looking for new horizons in both the traditional winter travel season and the offseason, and what they crave more than anything when selecting a destination is authenticity. Anguilla is rich in both experience and culture, and we look forward to sharing more compelling stories from the destination through our public relations and marketing efforts.”
A RECORD START TO 2026
The Canadian gains come amid a record-breaking period for Anguilla tourism overall.
The destination welcomed 90,017 total visitors during the first three months of 2026, up from 69,259 in the same period of 2025. The results made it Anguilla’s strongest first quarter in 34 years.
Stayover arrivals increased 24.6% to 46,691, while March 2026 became the strongest single month in Anguilla’s recorded tourism performance.
The numbers add to what ATB describes as growing momentum across its key source markets, with Canada emerging as an increasingly important part of the picture.
NEW TORONTO AIR SERVICE
BermudAir will launch new seasonal service from YYZ via Turks and Caicos
Canadian access to Anguilla is also set to improve for the upcoming winter season.
Starting Dec. 19, 2026, BermudAir is scheduled to introduce a new seasonal service connecting Toronto Pearson with Anguilla via Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.
The service will operate once weekly on Saturdays through May 1, 2027, providing travellers with a same-day connection from Toronto to Anguilla. The total scheduled journey will be just over seven hours.
The new connection comes as Anguilla looks to capitalize on the 40% year-over-year increase in Canadian stayover visitors recorded during Q1.
NEW SUMMER CAMPAIGN
Sean A. Richard, Chairman of the Anguilla Tourist Board
Alongside its Canadian initiatives, ATB is continuing its 2026 summer campaign, “Anguilla: Taste. Feel. Live.”
The campaign highlights the island’s culinary heritage, culture, hospitality and lifestyle experiences, including festivals, boat racing, live entertainment and heritage activities.
It also includes the XCAPE app, a digital platform designed to serve as a personalized travel companion. The app provides curated destination information, interactive island experiences and real-time travel updates, among other resources.
ATB says the platform is part of its focus on digital visitor engagement, innovation and data-informed tourism.
The wider “Taste. Feel. Live.” campaign will continue through the summer with destination storytelling, content and collaborative partnerships intended to connect travellers more closely with Anguillian culture and experiences.
NEW CHAIRMAN TAKES THE HELM
The tourism board itself has also undergone a leadership change as Anguilla looks to build on its growth.
In May 2026, Minister of Health, Tourism and Sports Cardigan Connor confirmed the appointment of Sean A. Richard as Chairman of the Anguilla Tourist Board.
With more than 20 years of experience in tourism and luxury hospitality management, he succeeds Cecile Amelia Vanterpool-Kubisch, taking on the role with a mandate to strengthen coordination and innovation within Anguilla’s tourism sector.
“It is an honour to serve as Chairman of the Anguilla Tourist Board at such an exciting and progressive time for Anguilla’s tourism industry,” said Richard. “I look forward to working collaboratively with the Government of Anguilla, the Ministry of Health, Tourism and Sports, Board Directors, the Anguilla Tourist Board Management and Staff, industry partners and tourism stakeholders to further strengthen Anguilla’s global brand, enhance visitor experiences, and support the sustainable advancement of the destination.”
For more information about Anguilla, go to https://ivisitanguilla.com/.
Lead image caption: An aerial view of Anguilla — Credit Anguilla Tourist Board
