Tourism

New Cayman Islands Route For Barbados

Major boost expected from upcoming Cayman Airways flight

Barbados is ramping up the marketing and promotion efforts for the Cayman Airways service ahead of the first flight on October 18.

The new route was first announced in July during a joint press conference between Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, and Minister of Tourism and Ports for the Cayman Islands, Kenneth Bryan.

This is the first direct, scheduled service between the two islands and ticket sales began in September. Chairman of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), Shelly Williams, gave an update on some of the activities the BTMI is undertaking to promote the new service.

“Next week, we will be hosting a special launch event in the Cayman Islands to promote Barbados; especially the Barbados Food and Rum Festival which coincides with the inaugural flight from Barbados to Cayman. We will be inviting businesspersons, diaspora, and key travel and tourism agents and influencers who will sell destination Barbados,” she said.

At the activation, there will be one mixologist and two chefs from Barbados that will be present to give Caymanians a taste of what they can expect in October for the Barbados Food and Rum Festival.

The Chairman added that they will be giving a door prize, which is a trip to Barbados for one week for two guests, with accommodation at Courtyard by Marriot Barbados; and tickets onboard Cayman Airways inaugural flight.

She noted that the BTMI is working in conjunction with the diaspora on the ground to raise more awareness and excitement for the flight. This includes working with Honorary Consul for Barbados in the Cayman Islands, Juliette Gooding.

“The Barbadian diaspora in the Cayman Islands is large and there is a buzz on the ground as everyone prepares to welcome the start of this service in October. We have a mix of diaspora in the Cayman Islands and we are all ready for the possibilities that come along with this service such as introducing some of the Caymanian business partners and expats to the beautiful island of Barbados,” Ms. Gooding said.

Targeting a variety of travellers

Mrs. Williams also addressed how this flight fits into the BTMI’s overall strategy.

“This new service allows us to address some of the challenges we’re currently facing in the region as it pertains to airlift, while also diversifying our source markets by giving us access to the Northern Caribbean; in particular, connectivity with Jamaica and Cuba,” Mrs. Williams said.

“More importantly, in a few weeks, I hope to announce a second service using Cayman Airways through LA. Regional travel has always been an area that we in Barbados have been working towards improving and this service is critical as it opens Barbados and the Cayman Islands to the rest of the region. Cayman Airways is currently the only Caribbean carrier providing this service to this gateway. It will improve connectivity with Jamaica, New York, Havana, Miami and most importantly Los Angeles. Therefore, we welcome this fruitful partnership with Cayman Airways.”

The Cayman Islands has a vibrant Barbadian population and these services opens up the opportunity for the diaspora to travel home. Additionally, the Cayman Islands is known as a major financial centre and many international accounting and finance business entities have significant connections and bases in Cayman.

The Chairman anticipates that these business professionals would be the major users of this flight.

Mutually beneficial service

Williams highlighted that Barbados is considered the airlift hub for the Eastern Caribbean and currently, the island boasts of having the largest number of flights out of the UK and Europe.

Therefore, Caymanians and Barbadians stand to benefit from these new services as they connect Barbados to the Northern Caribbean, and offer the Cayman Islands easier connectivity to the UK and Europe through the Grantley Adams International Airport.

“This new gateway continues to see Barbados as a hub in our strong connectivity into the UK and Europe. We anticipate that this will be an advantageous and valuable partnership for both Barbados and the Cayman Islands,” Mrs. Williams said. (PR/GIS)

Tourism

BARBADIAN REUBEN LEROY BROWNE NAMED GENERAL MANAGER AT WYNDHAM GRAND BARBADOS SAM LORDS CASTLE

Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lords Castle has appointed Barbadian Reuben Leroy Browne as General Manager of the all-inclusive luxury resort in St. Philip.

With over 30 years of experience in the tourism industry with major international brands across the Caribbean, Browne will be responsible for the hotel’s operations including enhancing guest experiences and revenue growth, while focusing on strategic planning, resource management and prioritizing environmental and social responsibility activities, among other tasks.

The new General Manager, who took up the post last month (October), said, “Over the past few weeks, I have had the privilege of getting to know our amazing team and exploring everything our beautiful resort has to offer. Our team is truly dedicated, and together we are committed to enhancing the guest experience as we approach the winter season.

“I’m proud to share that all of our resort’s food and beverage outlets are all operational, including the Mediterranean Restaurant for all-day dining, Sam Lords Grill, and our signature fine-dining venue, Castle View. Our Lucy’s Lounge, named in honor of Sam Lords’ wife, adds a unique touch to the resort, and we also have six well-appointed bars throughout the property to cater to our guests’ needs.”

He added that the spa, 24 hour gym and Kid’s Club are also functioning at full steam for both locals and visitors to utlise and said, “Our next steps will be to fill key vacancies starting with the Director of Sales and Marketing. We are also continuing our promotion of the property in key source markets at events such as World Travel Market in London, which our Revenue Manager attended earlier this month.”

Browne, who has a strong educational background from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and several management development programmes, most recently served as General Manager of an all-inclusive 294 suite property in Antigua.

Since starting his career in the industry in 1984, he has developed a successful track record in various leadership roles including Food and Beverage Manager, Operations Manager, Residence Manager, Director of Operations and Chief Commercial Officer at renowned hotels and resorts in Barbados and the region.

An active member in various professional associations including the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) and past member of the Downtown Nassau Partnership, he also dedicates his time to charitable endeavors including the Optimist Club. (PR)

Caption: Barbadian Reuben Leroy Browne has been appointed General Manager of the all-inclusive Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lords Castle.

Tourism

BHTA BARBADOS NATIONAL CULINARY TEAM OFF TO TASTE OF THE CARIBBEAN 2024

Members of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association’s (BHTA) Barbados National Culinary Team left the island last Saturday to compete in the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) Taste of the Caribbean, which takes place in Miami from November 18 to 20.

They are Chef Rynaldo Joseph, Junior Chef Dejuan Toppin, Pastry Chef Rickeena Kirton and Mixologist Alex Chandler, along with Team Manager Adrian Cumberbatch, Assistant Team Manager Javon Cummins and Coaches Damian Leach and Rohan Hackshaw.

Cumberbatch noted that the team is ready to put their best plates and beverages forward: “There has been a lot of preparation over the past few weeks to get everyone ready for the competition. Our focus was on strengthening a number of areas ranging from time management to concepts and flavor profiles. After weeks of hard work and dedication I can confidently say that the team members are all ready to showcase their talent and skills and to make Barbados proud.”

BHTA’s Special Projects Manager, Tessalee Moore, who is among a BHTA contingent, including Chairman Javon Griffith and CEO Ryan Forde, attending Taste to support the team, explained that the Association was more than happy to be facilitating the process to get team Barbados to the prestigious event.

Caption: Members of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association’s (BHTA) Barbados National Culinary Team at the GAIA yesterday with BHTA CEO Ryan Forde (left) and Special Projects Manager Tessalee Moore (second from left) on the way to the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) Taste of the Caribbean in Miami.

“We are extremely happy that Taste is back and that Barbados can attend and defend our title as Caribbean Team of the Year. But beyond that, for the BHTA, Taste is more than a competition. It is also a major training and developmental tool for our chefs and mixologists as it provides educational opportunities by way of seminars, workshops and demonstrations on the trends and emerging concepts in Food and Beverage.

“While we would love Team Barbados to bring home gold and the bragging rights as Team of the Year again, we equally want the members to gain from this experience in a way that will propel their careers and for them to willingly share their knowledge with their peers when they return. This is their opportunity to showcase their skills on an international platform and we want them to take full advantage of that opportunity.” (PR)

Tourism

EXPLORA 11 DOCKS FOR THE FIRST TIME

The Explora II docked at the Port of Bridgetown for the first time yesterday, bringing 427 passengers to the island’s shore.

During a plaque exchange ceremony on board the vessel, Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding- Edghill, thanked Captain Serena Melani for guiding what he described as a “magnificent” ship into the Port of Bridgetown.

“We certainly want to thank you and your team on board, and certainly the executives at MSC, for taking the opportunity to continue to have the confidence in Barbados as a home port,” he said.

Captain of the vessel, Serena Melani, who was the first woman in cruise industry history to captain a new ocean cruise ship launch in February 2020, said it was “nice to be back”, and that she was happy to bring another vessel to the Barbados. She previously brought the Explora I to the island during the 2023-2024 winter season.

*Minister of Tourism Ian Gooding Edghill & Captain Serena Melani*

The Explora Journeys’ Explora II transatlantic cruise itinerary, which began in Barcelona, Spain, will make six homeporting visits to Barbados during the 2024-2025 winter season.

The next port of call for the cruise vessel is Fort-de-France, Martinique.

In addition to the Explora II, the Port of Bridgetown also welcomed the MSC Magnifica for the first time. Britannia P&O and Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas also docked yesterday, bringing a total of 8,000 visitors to the island. (PR/GIS)