Connect with us

Local

BHTA 2025 NEW YEAR’S DAY MESSAGE 

BY CHAIRMAN JAVON GRIFFITH 

My fellow Barbadians, as we usher in the new year of 2025, the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) wishes to extend absolute best wishes to the people of Barbados.

I extend heartfelt gratitude to all tourism stakeholders, particularly our esteemed tourism workers, for their unwavering support and commitment to our island’s tourism industry. 

The past year presented us with new and exciting business prospects. We are profoundly thankful, to the many valued investors for consistently believing in our country’s ability, to elevate Barbados’ status as a premier luxury Caribbean holiday destination.

In the eleven months of 2024 from January to November, Barbados welcomed to its shores a total of 617,228 stay-over arrivals, according to the Barbados Statistical Service (BSS). This is up 10% from the 559,701 stay-over arrivals, recorded for the same period in 2023. 

This growth has been primarily driven by the island’s resounding success, in significantly growing the United States market. For January to November 2024, this market has already accounted for 201,005 visitors compared to 157,023 visitors, for the exact same period in 2023. 

This 28% increase in North American visitors to our shores, is being positively felt in every corner of the tourism industry and across our membership. From the restaurants to the car rental firms, from the surf instructors to the taximen, from the villa management companies to the hotels and from the beach vendors to the merchants in Bridgetown. 

This is being driven by the return of American Airlines to Barbados from New York-JFK and Philadelphia, the return of Delta Airlines to Barbados from Atlanta and New York-JFK, the introduction of Frontier Airlines to Barbados from San Juan, the increases in United Airlines flights to Barbados from Newark-EWR, the increases in JetBlue flights to Barbados from Boston and the increases in American Airlines flights to Barbados from Charlotte.

2025 promises to be an exciting year on many fronts and I look forward to the many months ahead with a great sense of optimism. Barbados’ tourism industry is poised for more expansion as various tourism investments, including the InterContinental Hotels Group Hotel Indigo and the Blue Monkey Beach Club continue to take shape. Excitement is also building for Marriott’s long-awaited transformation as they introduce the world to the new Autograph Collection (Waves Hotel and Spa, Treasure Beach, Tamarind and The House), the Luxury Collection (Colony Club) and in February 2026 to the Tribute Portfolio (Crystal Cove and Turtle Beach). 

With both American Airlines and Delta Airlines collectively providing 10,000 new seats into Barbados per month in summer 2025, we are projected to have a great summer performance as an industry. 

The BHTA will continue to advocate on our members’ behalf, and we eagerly anticipate further collaboration with local, regional and international partners, to realise our strategic business objectives. The rebound of our industry could not have been possible without the extensive work done by our invaluable and key tourism partner, the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI). I have high praises for our tourism partners, who have been integral to our successful navigation of these choppy post COVID-19 seas; and because of this united front, we are seeing encouraging signs that the sector is fully back on its feet.

It would be very remiss of me not to highlight the recent stellar performance of the Barbados Culinary Team at the 2024 edition of Taste of the Caribbean held in November in Miami, Florida. The team was led by the Management Team of Adrian Cumberbatch, Javon Cummins, Rohan Hackshaw and Damian Leach. The four competing members of the team were Rickeena Kirton – Pastry Chef, Dejuan Toppin – Junior Chef, Rynaldo Joseph – Senior Chef and Alexander Chandler – Mixologist. The team returned victorious as the Caribbean National Culinary Team of the Year 2024 and have made Barbados exceptionally proud.

The future of tourism in Barbados is looking bright, despite the challenges we have and continue to face because of external factors. As you have previously heard, our vision speaks to strategic initiatives and partnerships that will diversify our product, build human capital and expand linkages with other sectors, while targeting new markets, driving a more collaborative approach to our tourism sector, while still ensuring that the growing tourism industry benefits all Barbadians. The resetting of our tourism sector to build forward and stronger, can only be achieved by focusing on building strong local capacity with a relentless focus on quality and excellent customer service. 

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire Secretariat of the BHTA, I wish all citizens of Barbados and our cherished visitors a healthy, happy and prosperous 2025!

Javon Griffith, BHTA Chairman

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Local

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)

Continue Reading

Local

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

Continue Reading

Local

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

Continue Reading

Trending

© 2022 Advomag. All rights reserved.