Tourism

TOURISM DAY MESSAGE 2023

Investing in People, Planet and Prosperity

The United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has asked that observance of international tourism day this year “highlight the vital need to deliver investment for projects that work for People (by investing in education and skills), Planet (by investing in sustainable infrastructure and accelerating green transformation) and Prosperity (by investing in innovation, technology and entrepreneurship).” Ultimately the theme is linked to supporting the sustainable development goals (SDGs) with the bigger goal of transforming the world.

If there is an industry that can have a transformational impact, tourism is it! Even after being dealt a body blow by COVID tourism has proven its resilience and in 2023, according to the UNWTO, is back to 80 percent of pre pandemic levels and is still employing one in every ten people globally. Part of the reason for this is the labour-intensive nature of the industry. UNWTO estimates that “one job in the core tourism industry creates about one and a half additional (indirect) jobs in the tourism related economy.”

Given the global significance of tourism, if ever there was a time for such a transformation, it is now. The world is at a different level of consciousness and therefore tourism must also make a transition. This year’s world tourism day theme reflects the global shift towards acknowledging our shared fate as citizens of this earth and the need for us to seek a balance of the parts that make the whole. Only if we take care of our people and our planet can we truly achieve prosperity.

People have always been at the forefront of Barbados’ development as a premiere tourism destination. Those of us who recall The Visitor magazine will remember interviews asking visitors what they love about the island. The leading answer would always be “the people”. That has remained unchanged over all the years. Bajans remain that “je ne sais quoi”, the secret ingredient in our tourism success. Many other islands have similar components including beautiful beaches, rich heritage and colourful culture. No other place on earth can boast the wit, warmth, civility and hospitality of Barbadians. These are characteristics well worth safeguarding as they contribute not just to our tourism product but to the quality of life on this island.

This means that we must continue to invest in our people in meaningful and tangible ways. The natural fit of our island to this industry has been based on some very subtle ways in which we live. Our sense of community, which lends itself to looking out for others, has led to our reputation for being kind. Our courtesy and congenial ways of interacting with each other has led to our reputation for being friendly. Underpinning all of this is our social and educational systems which combine to create a populace with both traditional and emotional intelligence plus a value system that supports the collective goal of making tourism our business.

The tangible investment in our people will require continued attention to the fundamentals. Ensuring that our citizens continue to have access to high quality education from primary right through to tertiary levels. Barbados is one of the top ranked islands in the Caribbean in terms of expected years of schooling. It is also one of the most highly rated countries in the region in relation to the human development index. So, while economic markers are important, it is Barbados’s attention to the education and health of its people that have led to the island’s success. It is too, the significance we attach to socialization, the village raising our children and maintaining strong values.

These things will allow us to see both economic and social prosperity for our people. At this juncture the tourism industry must continue to provide them with training to match the opportunities that exist for them to have meaningful and rewarding work. That work must include good working conditions and fair pay. It must provide an enabling environment for persons to carry out their task competently in a setting that provides autonomy and allows them to connect to the guests and colleagues. Ensuring that they feel like they can benefit from the many opportunities that tourism has to offer.

There is an unfortunate and widely held perception that tourism only offers entry level opportunities. Tourism employment runs the full gamut and gives anyone, from the most fledgling to the most expert, a range of professional opportunities for growth and personal development. Beyond employment there is also the chance to develop businesses; the expanded markets provided in a tourism economy are meaningful for those who wish to innovate and be entrepreneurial. The numbers of persons entering the sharing economy to provide accommodation bears evidence of this, as do the number of restaurants, taxi drivers and tour companies and other individually owned enterprises operating in the tourism space.

Investment in the planet follows logically from this. Given the position that Tourism holds in Barbados as our leading driver of private sector employment, number one source of foreign exchange earnings and principal contributor to GDP, how we build out this industry must be done responsibly and sustainably. The concern about our dependence on Tourism is valid however, it remains for the foreseeable future the best fit for our resources. We must not allow a lack of vision and innovation to limit the growth of this industry.

The question then becomes how do we build wealth for Barbadians and increase equity through the industry? The clear way is to create a facilitating environment where local participation in the tourism economy can thrive. There are already mechanisms in place to support this. The onus is on us to activate these tools, safeguard our resources and to marshal them to provide the best possible return to this island and its people.

There is a growing demand for sustainable tourism that has converged with a growing awareness around issues of the environment, social justice and equity. This combined with social media activism has placed increased pressure on governments, businesses, and individuals to be ever mindful of the impact of their actions. Barbados is attuned to this shift and poised to take advantage of this burgeoning awareness. From our leader, Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who is one of the most powerful global voices on climate change and the need to save our planet, to our recent awards as a sustainable travel destination.

We are charting a path to achieving the SDGs. The opportunities lie not only in turning a new generation of travelers onto the many ways in which we practice sustainable tourism but to the very authentic experiences they will have when they visit this island. The opportunities also lie in creating new business models to encourage more participation by locals in the tourism economy, to incentivize the many locals who have already made investments to continue to do so and to maintain a balanced portfolio of tourism investors.

In the 1960s when Barbados deliberately shifted its focus from sugar to tourism many argued it was simply trading one mono-crop for another. That argument only has merit if we continue practices which support extractive and exploitative development of the industry. There must be a commitment, both in policy and in practice, to ensuring that the greatest rewards of tourism remain here and can be used for the development of this island. Much of Barbados’ tourism product remains indigenously owned and operated. The greatest incentives therefore must be provided to ensure that remains the case. Stimulating local investment in sustainable, green projects has to remain a priority. It is only then that the true multiplier effect where every tourist dollar spent on this island touches sectors from retail to manufacturing and agriculture.

This year 2023 will mark the first full year of normalcy. Tourism continues to recover and this Tourism Day calls on us to reflect on its significance to our development as a country and how we can continue to use Tourism as a platform to be true craftsmen of our fate.

Happy World Tourism Day!

BHTA Chairman

Renée Coppin

Tourism

Tourism Megafest Expo Highlights Industry Stakeholders

As part of the activities for Tourism Week, the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) hosted a Tourism Megafest Expo yesterday at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, aimed at highlighting industry stakeholders.

The Expo got under way with exhibitors participating in an on-site live location shoot of the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation’s Mornin’ Barbados programme.

BTMI’s Chief Product Development Officer, Marsha Alleyne, said the expo was geared towards showcasing stakeholders in the industry, career opportunities, and the importance of tourism to the local economy.

“We know that tourism is an inclusive industry, and we wanted to ensure that we were able to showcase every single facet of our industry, and not just showcase but also let the world see where there are opportunities for them from a career perspective, and also from an entrepreneurial perspective as well,” Ms. Alleyne explained.

Booths on display included those from The University of the West Indies, Marriott International, Executive Air, the Grantley Adams International Airport, the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, the Barbados Port Inc., WIBISCO, CARMETA’s, Gabcey, and Guest Hub. There were also cooking demonstrations and mixologists preparing mocktails, and entertainment from reigning calypso monarch Adrian Clarke, and TC, among other artistes.

The remaining activities for Tourism Week, which is being held under the theme “Tourism and Peace”, include a community pop-up, in collaboration with the Barbados Food and Rum Festival at Pelican Island on Friday, September 27, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The week culminates on Saturday, September 28, with a clean-up at the Drill Hall Beach, The Garrison, St. Michael.

The public is encouraged to come out and participate in the remaining events. During this week of activities, locals with their national identification cards have the opportunity to enjoy special discounts on staycations, restaurants, and attractions. (PR/GIS)

Tourism

BHTA Internship Programme a hit with UWI Students

THE Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association’s (BHTA) annual Internship Programme has received high praise from University of the West Indies (Cave Hill) students.

Ronesha Williams and Chelsea Devonish, pursuing Hospitality and Tourism Management and International Tourism Management Bachelor’s Degrees respectively, both participated in this year’s internship programme and referred to it as, “eye opening and amazing.”

Williams stated, “I chose tourism because it allows me to connect with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds, which I find incredibly enriching. What started as a way to make ends meet at the age of 17 quickly grew into a passion for creating memorable experiences and delivering excellent customer service. I thrive in the dynamic environment of tourism, where making connections and leaving lasting impressions is key to sustainable business in tourism.

“My internship at the BHTA has been one of the most incredible experiences in my career to date, providing me with hands-on exposure to the groundwork that is necessary to make this industry successful. I assisted with various projects, applying theories from my coursework at UWI in areas such as data collection, budgeting, and event planning. Additionally, I gained valuable skills in site inspection and sponsorship management. Throughout my internship, I also attended first aid training, a hurricane preparedness seminar and quality customer service training, all of which have further equipped me for my future endeavours in tourism.

Devonish, who explained that she always had a love for the industry, echoed similar sentiments, “This experience was wonderful. The BHTA team treated us like family and allowed us to work on projects along with them, rather than just observing how things are done. I was able to assist with planning and also participate in meetings, seminars and events covering a wide range of areas. From producing e-flyers and distributing information to members, to attending seminars and site-visits as well as meetings with emergency personnel including the Barbados Police Force.

“I was aware of the BHTA before but never realised the wide range of work and activity that the Association is responsible for. There are numerous meetings with members and different stakeholders, just as many activities and events to plan and execute as well as the advocacy and programmes focusing on health and safety, training and the like. It is much more than I ever imagined. My studies focus on International approaches to tourism and this internship has definitely exposed me to how many of these methods are being utilised on a daily basis by the BHTA and its members.”

BHTA CEO, Ryan Forde stated, “Every year we host two UWI Students as interns and every year we marvel at their different backgrounds and perspectives on the industry. This year, we had the pleasure of hosting and teaching Ronesha and Chelsea various aspects of the industry and from a different point of view. We may be a Secretariat for our membership, but the day-to-day work is much more than just that.

“Both ladies were able to experience an International Tournament (ICC World Cup) from the role the BHTA plays, experience hurricane preparations and post hurricane reporting, advocacy on behalf of our membership, marketing for new members and initiatives, proposal review sessions as well as work on numerous projects that the BHTA is undertaking and, of course, numerous site visits to understand the Tourism Product of Barbados.”

Forde added that the skillset the two were able to add to the Secretariat was needed this summer. He said, “Their energy and ‘can do, will do, may I participate’ attitude is exactly what the industry needs more of, and they were rewarded for it. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Trustees, the Secretariat and our Members we wish to thank both young ladies for their efforts and assistance this summer and we foresee that this will not be the last that we hear of these two names, as they have a lot of promise to offer the destination for years to come.” (PR)

Tourism

Winair Adds Barbados To Its Caribbean Flight Network

Winair is pleased to announce the launch of direct flights to and from Barbados, a popular destination for business and leisure travellers alike.

Starting November 15, 2024, Winair will operate six flights a week between St. Maarten and Barbados, utilising their ATR-42 aircraft. In addition, Winair will also provide direct flights from Barbados to St. Lucia twice weekly, Martinique twice weekly and Dominica three times weekly.

Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Andrea Franklin, speaking on the new airlift into Barbados, said: “I am delighted to welcome Winair’s new direct flights to Barbados, which significantly enhance our connectivity within the Caribbean. This development not only makes Barbados more accessible to our Caribbean neighbours including the French West Indies to our island, fostering greater cultural and economic exchanges.

These routes position Barbados as a pivotal hub for travellers and align perfectly with our goals of boosting regional tourism and strengthening ties with our Caribbean partners. The increased connectivity will have a positive impact on both business and leisure travel, further solidifying Barbados as a premier destination in the region.”

CEO of Winair, Hans van de Velde, noted that: “Winair is growing its Caribbean network with the addition of these new routes. We now offer 16 destinations and 40 routes, providing better connectivity throughout the region. Whether you’re a local resident or an international traveller, Winair offers a seamless and convenient journey. Our partnerships with global airlines like British Airways, Air France, KLM, and JetBlue further enhance our reach to Europe and North America, making it easier than ever to explore the Caribbean’s diverse beauty.”

He added: “Winair is proud to be the trusted and reliable airline in the Caribbean region, with a 63-year long history of providing a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.” The airline has a growing fleet of three ATR42-500 and five) Twin Otters.

“Winair looks confidently forward to this upcoming winter season. Our dedication to customer satisfaction is steadfast, and we are committed to pushing innovation, continuously improving, and growing our services.

To celebrate the launch of these exciting new routes, Winair is offering special introductory fares for a limited time for travel dates between November 15 and December 15, 2024. (PR)