The off-shore sector has also become a key contributor and continues to grow. Construction dipped in the early 90s but has been booming more recently as a downstream effect of the growth in tourism. Remittances from emigrants are also an important source of income. In the medium term, prospects for the economy will depend on the tourism sector and, therefore, on continuing income growth in the industrialized nations as well as favourable weather conditions. Anguilla s agriculture is hampered by its dry climate and thin soil.
Subsistence farming raises such crops as pigeon peas, sweet potatoes, Indian corn, and beans.
Fish and lobster are also caught for exporting. The tourism sector has resumed growth after its setback in late 1995 due to the effects of Hurricane Luis in September. Both stop over arrivals and cruise ship visitors fell by around 15 per cent in 1995. Stopover number had recovered to their 1994 levels by 1997 with 43,200 arrivals but cruise ship visitors were still a little down in 1998 at 70,000. Substantial effort has been put into developing Anguilla s offshore finance sector and the island is keen to establish itself as a reputable offshore location.