BARBADOS WILL COME BACK BIGGER AND BETTER
May 05, 2020
Accra Beach on the west coast: Photo Credit iStock Philip Willcocks
Minister of Tourism and International Transport, the Hon. Kerrie Symmonds, saluted the valiant efforts of Barbados’ frontline workers as he spoke to global trade and consumer media on how the country is navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.
Support for tourism
The Government has put BDS $20 million towards a Small Hotel Investment Fund, which is blended with the private financial sector, to ensure the smaller hotels especially have the opportunity to perform infrastructural refurbishments during this downtime to improve on their competitive appeal.
In addition, a Tourism Task Force comprising government and private sector members has been established to examine all elements of the industry, including marketing, product, health and safety, cruise, and aviation. Its mandate is to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on Barbados tourism and provide – 2 recommendations for the recovery, restoration, and revitalization of this critical sector. The Tourism Task Force will also be working to re-train and re-tool tourism workers as part of the island’s recovery plan, commencing May 1.
Strong partnerships in cruise
Switching to the high seas, Symmonds outlined the importance of cruise tourism and homeporting business to the Barbados economy. He referenced the cruise ships that were facilitated in Barbados and offered safe harbor since the temporary suspension of operations announced by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) last month.
“For us, the homeporting business is very critical – we are the only eastern Caribbean country that does that. When other countries were in some instances refusing access, by the cruise ships, to their shores, Barbados took a conscious and deliberate decision that we would not do that and that we would treat the cruise sector as partners should treat each other.”
Since then, Barbados has worked to assist those cruise ships with repatriating both passengers and crew. Most recently, the Aida Perla departed the island with ‘Thank You BB’ spelled out in lights on the ship to show their appreciation for the island’s hospitality. A thank you video was also released by the company after departure, which has since gone viral.
Ocean Two Resort on the south coast of the island: Photo Credit Ocean Two Resort & Residences
Preparing for re-emergence
Speaking on plans for re-emergence, Symmonds said that he expects subdued tourism business to return within the next three to six months as the international markets reopen. He identified the long-stay luxury villa market, which is not reliant on commercial airlines for access, as an opportunity for reactivating the industry. These visitors typically stay longer and are less likely to deter by the mandatory quarantine period for arriving passengers. “Beyond summer I think is the reality of a more robust recovery. Obviously, a lot of this is subject to what happens in some of our major source markets. We are very optimistic, but we prepare for the worst. It may be more of a reality to think in terms of winter as opposed to summer,” he said.
Barbados’ travel partners have advised that there is still a desire and hope for future travel among consumers and current bookings have moved to slightly later in the year, and into 2021. In closing, Symmonds stressed that this is a golden opportunity to improve infrastructure within the sector, focus on training and tooling staff, and build out standards and operating procedures within the industry. “We want to come back bigger and better than we were before, and it means using the downtime very productively. In Barbados, we have done this business well, but we can do it better, and we will.”
Animal Flower Cave: Photo Credit www.visitbarbados.org
About Barbados
The island of Barbados offers the most authentic Caribbean experience with its exceptionally rich culture and history rooted in remarkable landscapes. Rated as one of the world”s sexiest beaches in 2008 by Concierge.com; Barbados” Crane Beach in St. Philip stands as a premier destination for travelers. Barbados is also the first Zagat-rated Caribbean island and is known as the culinary capital of the Caribbean. Barbados has hosted several world-class events including The annual Barbados Food & Rum Festival; the 2006 PGA World Golf Championships-Barbados World Cup, the ICC Cricket World Cup Finals in 2007, the Sentebale Charity Polo match with Prince Harry of Wales in 2010, and the ICC Twenty20 Cricket Finals for 2010, and the Rihanna LOUD concert in 2012.
Accommodations range from picturesque plantation houses and villas to quaint bed and breakfasts and award-winning, five-star resorts. Grantley Adams International Airport offers even more non-stop and direct service from a growing number of U.S. cities, making Barbados the true gateway to the Eastern Caribbean. Barbados was voted eighth in the World by Trip Advisor”s “2008 Travelers” Choice Destination Awards” in its Top 100 Destinations category. For more information on travel to Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org , follow on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/VisitBarbados , via Twitter @Barbados.
