What developments have you seen in the year you have been in your role?
I’m in a fortunate position, thanks to the loyalty and love for Barbados in the UK.
The UK is one of our main source markets and I’ve seen there is a true affinity for the people, our culture, and for the shared history that we hold together.
Coming in has involved respecting and developing that foundation. I have been building on existing relationships while listening to what today’s travellers want.
Visitors don’t just want an experience of coming to Barbados and sitting in the sun. They know that we have beautiful beaches, warm sunshine and wonderful sand. They want a more immersive experience.
That means initiatives like Dine with a Bajan, where we bring traditional tourism together with community-based immersive activities. Visitors can go to a Barbadian’s home and enjoy an authentic meal with them.
What can visitors to Barbados expect over the coming months?
This is a momentous year for us are mark our 60th year of independence and our fifth year as a republic. We’re focusing on letting visitors be a part of our living culture. It’s about celebrating our history and also showcasing where we want to go.
The Marriott Group has just shown confidence in Barbados by the massive renovations that they’ve undertaken across their properties. They are a huge drawcard for the UK traveller. They’re reopening the Tamarind this summer and Turtle Beach recently reopened.
We also have our high-end properties. The Blue Monkey Hotel and Beach Club just opened. The Hotel Indigo Bridgetown Barbados opened recently as well.
The Royalton Vessence, on the West Coast, is in the all-inclusive bracket that a lot of customers enjoy.
What I love about Barbados is that the all-inclusive customer comes but they don’t just stay in a hotel. They want to experience everything from our street food to our fine-dining experiences.
We have the CPL – Caribbean Premier League cricket – coming up in August and September. We’re thrilled to be hosting the finals.
The Barbados Food and Rum Festival is in November. That’s a way to come to Barbados, the culinary capital of the Caribbean, and experience everything from our street food to fine dining experiences and some of the culinary talent that we have.
In terms of activities and experiences, we also have our Run Barbados Marathon and Wellness Weekend in December. We have incorporated wellness. Even if you’re not a massive running enthusiast, you can come down and do some hiking or treat yourself to wellness opportunities on the island.
Crop Over is our number one festival and this year should be even more exciting because of our major milestone. Travellers should bear in mind that Crop Over is not just that one finale weekend that everybody likes to focus on. The entire festival runs for about eight weeks, featuring everything from the traditional last crop delivery to arts, heritage and cultural events and local markets.
This year, we’re putting a lot more focus on the parts of the festival that are more than just the music and the beautiful costumes. We are looking back fondly at our heritage, to honour where we come from – so it’s exciting.
How can travel agents find out more about Barbados?
I’ve got a wonderful team in my office ready to support you! Led by Stacey, my senior Business Development Officer (BDO), alongside our fantastic BDOs Cedric, Gloria and Ryan: they are all always keen to help. Anyone can reach out to the BTMI at btmiuk@visitbarbados.org. Whether you need a quick update or deep-dive training, our goal is to keep Barbados front of mind. Agents should know that we are contactable and we’re here to help and to assist in every way.
We have the Barbados Elite Club, where agents get a thorough understanding for the destination and are incentivised with promotions. We run fam trips with the top agents. We want to acknowledge the agents who are selling Barbados.
We conduct webinars so that the agents can sell Barbados strongly. We are here for everyone.
What should travel agents be selling?
Barbados is a vibrant 365-day destination, not just a seasonal destination and right now we are focusing on creating truly immersive experiences. Outside of the season, there are so many other wonderful activities.
Programmes like Dine with a Bajan have been hugely popular. People no longer want to sit in a hotel; they want to go into the heart of a destination and become a part of a community. They want to go back and say, “I did these things with the locals.” I absolutely love the direction that we are going in Barbados. Community-based tourism is a two-way street that ensures our people feel valued and connected to our visitors and vice versa.
The island is stunning all year round but in the shoulder periods it is particularly magical to visit. There is a more relaxed pace and you get to interact with the Barbadian community. We are available. We have more opportunities to sit down and have a chat in a rum shop or on the beach.
Because our cultural calendar is packed with festivals, arts, and music all year long, there is never a bad time to come. We are opening our arms wider than ever to solo travellers, families, and of course, romance seekers. We especially want to invite the younger generation to discover the rhythmic, artistic energy of our festivals. No matter when you visit, Barbados is ready to welcome you home.
