Amarni Webster has been named Anguilla’s new junior minister of tourism following his participation in the competitive National Tourism Youth Congress.
The annual event on 15 April at the Blue Ridge Hotel brought together some of the island’s most promising young people to showcase their understanding of the tourism sector and its future direction.
Five students took part after a national call for registration – Amarni Webster, Kyshaun Connor, L’Qree Hodge, Nicalleah Millington and Reanne Richardson.
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A government press release on 16 April, said the congress was chaired by outgoing junior tourism minister Alyah Jones, a student of Omololu International School.
She encouraged participants to fully engage with the opportunity and to see themselves as future contributors to Anguilla’s tourism industry.
During the event, students delivered presentations on a range of tourism-related themes, including digital transformation in tourism, the ‘three S’s’ of Caribbean tourism and the use of heritage as a tool for development.
Presentations were followed by interactive elements, including a networking session and a mystery topic challenge designed to test adaptability and critical thinking.
Senior government officials attended the congress, including tourism minister Cardigan Connor, permanent secretary Karim Hodge, and Jeison Bryan, ministerial assistant for sports, youth and culture.
Each commended the participants for their preparation, confidence and understanding of the sector, noting the importance of youth engagement in shaping the island’s long-term tourism strategy.
The programme was chaired by tourism planner Joleyne Robin Williams, who oversaw proceedings and highlighted the value of structured youth development initiatives within the tourism industry.
Following deliberations, lead judge Stanley Reid praised the overall standard of presentations, noting that all five students performed at a high level.
He encouraged the participants to continue acting as ambassadors for tourism and to inspire wider youth involvement in future congresses.
At the conclusion of the event, Amarni Webster was announced as winner with Reanne Richardson named as alternate.
Both Webster and Richardson will join Anguilla’s delegation attending the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference in Guyana from 5 to 9 October.
The youth congress forms an integral part of that wider regional programme, which brings together young tourism leaders from across the Caribbean.
While in Guyana, student delegates will participate in a series of workshops, team-building exercises and competitive sessions ahead of the regional stage of the congress, under the supervision of Neil Gumbs.
The winner of the regional competition will be appointed regional junior minister of tourism for 2026 to 2027. Tobago currently holds the regional title.
