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B’dos hosting Caribbean Travel Marketplace

or the first time in the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace history, Barbados will be the host country.

The 41st edition of the CHTA’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace will take place from Tuesday, May 9, to Thursday, May 11, at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC).

Host sponsors of the event are the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) and the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA).

Chief Product Development Officer, Marsha Alleyne, explained that while people buy goods at the Travel Marketplace trade show, it is not the type of goods one thinks about in terms of actual tangible commodities.

She highlighted that the Travel Marketplace’s main objective is for suppliers and buyers in the tourism and hospitality industry to conduct negotiations face-to-face “almost like a B2B or a speed dating type of meeting” all the while experiencing the host country first-hand.

“So, what you will actually be seeing is a number of buyers and suppliers and let me just break that down for you in terms of who those persons are. So, the suppliers will be persons who own properties in the accommodation sector or who are the marketing persons in accommodations, persons who own or sell attractions for Barbados, and specifically from the hospitality area, and buyers are those persons who can move that inventory around within the region,” Ms. Alleyne explained.

In addition, she noted that the CHTA Marketplace is the largest trade marketplace in the region that happens every year. She added that Barbados is uniquely placed to host this activity because it is the first time it is being “housed in the Eastern Caribbean, and Destination Barbados must be very proud as a nation to be able to attract such a global conference”.

Ms. Alleyne continued: “This entire conference, as simple as it may appear, has taken a lot of resources to pull it all together, including a task force that comprised BTMI, BHTA, NCF and LESC team.

“This taskforce, along with other partners like the Barbados Police Service, Immigration and Customs are working to really put this entire global conference together. And what the event really will afford the persons who are coming to the island to see is our product ‘Destination Barbados’ based on accommodation, attractions, eco and heritage tourism, entertainment and of course our food which will be on showcase.”

Barbados will be home to almost 1,000 visitors, including delegates and media personnel from the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, Australia, Canada, and the United States of America. The last country to host the Caribbean Travel Marketplace was Puerto Rico. (PR/GIS)

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EBC Officers Conducting Verification Of Addresses Exercise

The public is advised that Registering Officers from the Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) are in the field conducting a verification exercise to confirm the address of each registrant. This activity is in accordance with the Representation of the People Act Cap 12, Section 12.

EBC Registering Officers will be wearing the department’s branded T-shirts with the official ID prominently displayed as they visit residents in districts across the island.

Householders are encouraged to cooperate with the Registering Officers and secure their pets or animals during the visit. (PR/GIS)

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Police Service Tips For A Safe Bank Holiday Weekend

As persons prepare to attend various events over this extended weekend, Crime Prevention Officer with The Barbados Police Service, Inspector Roger Babb, is encouraging them to “stay in control” as they enjoy themselves.

Inspector Babb reminds members of the public that drinking alcohol impairs their ability to make good decisions, and drinking and driving may result in accidents that can be fatal.

The Crime Prevention Officer shared these useful tips:

Do not feel pressured to drink alcohol; it is okay to say no.
Do not drink and drive, always have a sober designated driver.
If you drink, do so in moderation and never leave your drink unattended.
Do not let anyone bring a drink for you.
To avoid having your drinks spiked, buy your own drinks, and watch the bartender make or open them.
If you think your drink was tampered with, let someone know and seek medical attention.
Be cautious with strangers and do not accept drinks from them.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Never mix alcohol with other drugs.
PR/GIS

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SANDALS BARBADOS RECEIVES (CARPHA) AWARD

Sandals Barbados is the proud recipient of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Healthier Safer Tourism (HST) award.

The presentation was made recently at the Ministry of Health and Wellness office located in the Frank Walcott Building, St. Michael, Barbados.

Accepting the award for the Luxury Included Resort was General Manager Bruno Couesnon.

In his brief remarks Couesnon thanked every one of the team members who contributed to the resort’s recent accolade.

“It’s always nice to win awards; but it takes a team effort to achieve the results for which we are being recognized, today. The health and safety of our guests and team members are important to us and it is great to be selected and celebrated by CARPHA for doing our part and succeeding,” said Couesnon.

Executive Director of CARPHA Dr. Lisa Indar commended the hotel for achieving this internationally recognized award and praised its commitment to health and safety procedures.

“The 2019 Covid pandemic led to global shut down of tourism but it also demonstrated the resilience of the Caribbean by being able to bounce back. Part of that bouncing back was to be able to create a healthier and safer tourism experience and the reason you are here today is by being part of the tourism health programme and implementing proactive measures,” said Dr. Indar.

Some of the benefits of this award include being regionally and internationally recognized for healthier safer tourism endorsed by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO); the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association (CHTA) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The award is the only traveler’s health award where compliance is assessed – it is measurable and verifiable, ensuring the safety of the tourist facility, staff and guests. It also gives a comparative, marketing advantage and gives value to the quality of service.(PR)

CAPTION: Sandals Barbados General Manager General Manager Bruno Couesnon (L) accepting the CARPHA award from Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kenneth George