Barbados Travel Guide 2023

B ARBADOS

BARBADOS

Writer: Ed Budds | Project Manager: Krisha Canlas

With an unrivalled combination of relaxation spots and tranquil natural beauty, twinned with a cultural passion for all things sport, music, food and historic intrigue, Barbados exists as a buzzing hive of vibrancy and pleasure in all its many forms.

The island is home to a wealth of pristine beaches, cinematically idyllic scenery, delicious food and the friendliest people anywhere in the world.

The beauty of Barbados is that it boasts something for everyone. Whether you’re a history buff, veracious foodie, thrill-seeker or a tree-hugger, you will certainly feel right at home in this dazzling tropical haven.

On a purely geographical level it may be a small island, but the possibilities are truly endless, and the overall experience promises to be larger than life in every way.

Each diverse segment of Barbados has its own story - every meal is a culinary celebration, and each day delivers new experiences, discoveries and memories to fuel a lifetime.

Swim with the serene sea turtles, sample the world’s oldest recorded rum or take a dip with locals at the natural beach “jacuzzi” Hot Pot. Intrepid visitors can hike through the idyllic East Coast, dine sumptuously along the West Coast and sing karaoke into the early hours of the morning on the fun-loving and raucous South Coast, as all four corners of the island provide fresh excitement and a new transformative experience at every turn.

Alternatively, play dominoes at one of the 1,500 rum shops on the island and dig into some delicious roast breadfruit, dripping in butter from one of the many roadside food stalls.

With such an assorted swathe of activities and experiences on offer, it is no surprise that travellers keep returning fervently every year in their masses. Many tourists may expect Barbados to be a once-in-a-lifetime type of trip, but most quickly discover that it is the kind of place you want to return to, time and time again.

The glistening gem of the Caribbean Sea, Barbados is an infinitely vibrant island nation possessing a bounty of wondrous natural beauty and gracious hospitality

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS BARBADOS TRAVEL GUIDE

THE KEY FUNCTIONS of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) are to promote, assist and facilitate the ongoing and efficient development of all forms of tourism on the island. BTMI designs and implements suitable marketing strategies for the effective promotion of the tourism industry and makes provision for adequate, safe and suitable air and sea passenger transport services to and from Barbados.

Alongside this, the organisation aims to encourage the establishment of high-quality amenities and new facilities which are considered necessary for the total and complete enjoyment of Barbados as a tourist destination, whilst also aiming to carry out and collect a constant stream of market intelligence in order to inform the needs of the tourism

industry moving forward.

In this interview with BTMI, we examine the company’s goals and visions for the future and discover in detail why Barbados is now considered a truly unmissable destination.

Kyle Gittens, Marketing Manager for the organisation also describes to us the vast multitude of experiences and activities available for visitors to the bustling, vibrant island paradise, as well as digging deeper into the new trends currently transforming and influencing the tourism industry as a whole.

Outlook Travel (OT): Why was Barbados Tourism Marketing founded and what was its initial vision?

Kyle Gittens, Marketing Manager (KG): The BTMI serves to position

Barbados as the Caribbean’s premier tourism destination through captivating marketing strategies. The BTMI prioritises a high-quality travel experience, through the provision of suitable transport services to and from Barbados for passengers travelling by either air or sea. With the holistic development of the industry in mind, the creative team executes thorough market research into the needs of the ideal traveller and gives special focus to ensure the island has the best amenities for an authentic and enjoyable Barbadian stay.

The first positive attempt to organise tourism as a worthwhile industry and to promote Barbados as a winter resort came in 1932 when the Publicity Committee was formed. It was an association of Barbadian businessmen and hoteliers who, in conjunction

Your Tropical Getaway Awaits

Looking for a true Caribbean experience?

You’ve found the vacation destination you’ve been dreaming of - The Barbados Beach Club is an all-inclusive beachfront property nestled on the south coast, which offers breathtaking views of the island, and is a mere 15 minutes’ walk from the Oistins Bay Gardens, a popular social gathering for both tourist and locals alike.

Room Accommodations

The Barbados Beach Club is the perfect place for an unforgettable experience. Relax on the private balconies and comfortably furnished air-conditioned rooms with spectacular Garden View, Pool View or a Turquoise Ocean View.

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Hotel Facilities

The on-site restaurants offer an array of local and international cuisines, or enjoy entertainment with cocktails at the Poolside Bar.

Planning a wedding, conference, meeting or special gathering? Our oceanfront venues are perfect for memorable events with complimentary Wi-Fi.

with the government, underwrote the promotion of Barbados abroad. The committee also encouraged owners of hotels and restaurants to raise their standards and services.

In 1958, in order to promote the tourist trade on a year-round basis the Barbados Tourist Board, a statutory body, was formed. The Board, with offices in London, New York and Toronto, has been carrying out its important tasks by advertising in overseas publications including North American and European prestige magazines.

In 2014, the Barbados government announced its newest division of tourism affairs, the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) - a bold new organisation focused on keeping the island top of mind in the dynamic and ever-changing tourism industry.

OT: What are your organisation’s current goals?

KG: Our vision sees Barbados elevated to the top of its capacity as a globally competitive, warm-weather destination, with tourism sustainably enhancing the quality of life of visitors and Barbadians together.

OT: How do you promote off-season travel?

KG: We are showing the world that Barbados is indeed a 365-day destination. We have a list of events year-round that are held during the on-season and off-season to promote the destination. For instance, during the off-season we have our Crop Over Festival, which is held from July to August. This festival attracts peo-

ple from all over the globe including celebrities like Lewis Hamilton and our very own national hero, Rihanna. We also have the Barbados Food and Rum Festival, which is hosted in October and in May there is Rally Barbados where drivers from all over the globe flock to the island to compete.

OT: Are there any interesting projects in the pipeline you wish to highlight?

KG: Yes, we have a number of new and interesting projects in the pipeline and among these is the redevelopment of the historic Sam Lord’s Castle on the southeast coast of Barbados which will be a Wyndham Grand property soon, adding more than 400 rooms to our current room stock.

A highlight on the island is the Barbados Food and Rum Festival, hosted in October

Endless Summer in Barbados

Discover a selection of seven boutique Caribbean hotels with a range of luxury accommodations from family-friendly to adults-only, all-inclusive and breakfast-included, in classic and contemporary styles. Choose your experience and plan your next stay in beautiful Barbados.

Reservations: (+1) 402-390-1647

COLONY CLUB BY ELEGANT HOTELS

OT: Why, in your opinion, should someone visit Barbados?

KG: Barbados is a diverse destination which offers myriad experiences for every type of traveller. The island is rich in cultural, heritage, sporting, culinary and eco experiences. As the culinary capital of the Caribbean, Barbados has over 400 restaurants and eateries for every foodie to try. Furthermore, it is the birthplace of rum so it’s home to the best rum punches and finest rum anywhere in the world.

Barbados is also a sporting destination and a great motorsport island, so there is a range of sporting activities available including karting, eco adventures, nature trails and more to explore. With the most scenic landscapes, Barbados is also the perfect backdrop for a romantic

getaway or a destination wedding. There’s something for everyone in Barbados.

OT: What trends are transforming the tourism industry in Barbados and how are you utilising them?

KG: One of the main trends that we are utilising to transform Barbados’ tourism industry is data. We are utilising the power of data to drive our marketing strategies and strategically engage with target audiences. Barbados Tourism Marketing is partnering with MasterCard International Inc. to be part of its Tourism Insights Tool Platform. Tourism Insights uses machine learning (ML) algorithms and human expertise to capture timely and useful data by MasterCard users, which is then analysed to help track trends and investigate emerging or

growing markets. This can be used to increase visitor spend and gain an edge in the very competitive tourism industry. Barbados will be the first country in the Caribbean to adopt the Tourism Insight platform joining locations like Paris, London, Madrid, Seville, Greece, New York and Tokyo.

OT: Are you optimistic about the future of the tourism industry in Barbados?

KG: In conclusion, we are extremely optimistic about the future of tourism in Barbados and building new partnerships in our source markets.

Tel: 246-535-3700

btmiinfo@visitbarbados.org

www.visitbarbados.org

BRIDGETOWN

Royal Towers, #32 Broad Street, St. Michael Tel: (246) 429-7072

The Cruise Terminal, The Harbour, St. Michael Tel: (246) 431-0296

Email: customercare@theroyalshopbarbados.com www.theroyalshopbarbados.com

CRICKET IN FOCUS

A selection of sports all year round, along with a climate that favours the island’s passion for outdoor competitive action. Whether as a tourist you decide to partici pate or simply lay back and spectate, Barbados’ sporting heritage will deeply enrich your Caribbean holiday experience, with the locals’ infectious passion for various games proving impossible to resist.

BARBADOS OFFERS

Throughout the year, Barbados hosts a busy calendar of world-class sporting events across the island. However, it is cricket that is the number one national passion and visitors will witness it played by all ages on the crowded streets, all the way to the stunning beaches, as well as by international celebrities on the manicured grounds of the

Barbados Cricket Association’s esteemed Kensington Oval. Thousands of Barbadians, and other West Indians, as well as global visitors, flock here to witness powerful batsmen and towering fast bowlers do battle in world-class matches. One of the international capitals of cricket, Barbados always contributes a large contingent to the West Indies cricket team and has produced some of the all-time legends of the sport such as Garry Sobers and Clyde Walcott.

Cricket enthusiasts can always catch a captivating game at almost any time in Barbados, from a crucial International Test Match or One-Day International at Kensington Oval, an exciting local First Division match, or a friendly game on the beach or village field.

The pavilion named after the great Sir Garfield Sobers

PHOTO: PADDYBRIGGS - OWN WORK, PUBLIC DOMAIN

OUTLOOK RECOMMENDS

DO:

FOR DAILY DIVE TRIPS AND PRIVATE BOAT CHARTERS...

Barbados Blue provides a comprehensive range of breathtaking scuba diving classes. Adventurous explorers can rent scuba and snorkelling gear, as well as underwater digital cameras.

A certified PADI 5-Star service, activities include scuba diving, snorkelling, freediving, coral first-aid, water sports and more!

The dive shop is located at the Hilton Hotel on Needhams’s Point which gives easy access to both the south and west coasts of Barbados. This is the perfect pursuit for nature enthusiasts and thrill seekers, with convenient hotel pickup available as well.

Barbados Blue Water Sports is also the hub for the volunteer project Save Barbados Coral Reefs, which continues to undertake noble marine conservation work.

FOR LUXURY PRIVATE CHARTER SERVICES...

Executive Air Ltd. offers the Caribbean traveller a unique travel option of private or shared charter services throughout the region, as well as non-scheduled flights from its base in Barbados. Intrepid explorers can also peruse a choice of aerial tours of Barbados and snorkelling tours of the distinctly beautiful Grenadines Islands.

FOR HIGH-OCTANE, ADRENALINE FUELLED DRIVING EXPERIENCES...

Bushy Park

FOR A HIGHLY REPUTABLE, FAMILYOWNED AND CUSTOMER-FRIENDLY LUXURY RETAILER...

The Royal Shop boasts over 40 years in the watch and jewellery retail business. With its flagship store in Bridgetown, the capital city of Barbados, visit the exclusive and authorised dealers of Rolex and Tudor timepieces, all at amazing duty-free prices, amongst a relaxing and enjoyable shopping experience.

SLEEP:

FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL COLONIAL RESORT IN ST. JAMES, BARBADOS...

Elegant Hotels/Marriott International is situated on the finest stretch of Barbados’ elegant west coast, with soaring palm trees, lagoon-style pools and serene tropical gardens. Known for its relaxing atmosphere, its sophisticated ambience extends to all 96 tastefully appointed guest rooms and suites.

FOR AUTHENTIC BARBADIAN CULINARY EXPERIENCES THROUGHOUT YOUR STAY...

Barbados Beach Club serves up iconic tastes of the Caribbean with warm Bajan hospitality. Choose from two on-site restaurants offering an array of international cuisine to satisfy your tastebuds throughout the day. Then, enjoy an evening of entertainment every night of your stay at this luxury resort.

Barbados born, Executive Air Ltd, commenced in 2007 with the aim of offering premium private charter services to our clients. We quickly made a name for ourselves in the private charter industry and became a popular choice for business executives, celebrities, and other high net worth individuals who wanted to travel efficiently across the region in style and comfort.

2023 sees us commit to the vision of our founder Capt. John Ackie - to provide a reliable regional commercial passenger and cargo service whilst launching our very own FBO/MRO facility. We have taken up the challenge and invested heavily in acquiring aircraft and equipment with the plan to operate regular flights to several beautiful destinations in our region, providing the missing link to underserved areas.

Executive Air Ltd, is not just another private charter airline. We are a company on a mission - to serve the needs of our region. Stay tuned to our ambitious and exciting future!

Administrative Office: Harmony Centre, Pilgrim Road, Christ Church, Barbados Operations Office: South Ramp Hangar, Grantley Adams International Airport, Christ Church St Lucia Office: George F.L. Charles Airport, Castries St Lucia Contact Number: 1 (758) 727-6684

LANDMARK ATTRACTIONS

RIHANNA DRIVE

Located on the outskirts of Bridgetown is the house and community where iconic billionaire businesswoman and world-renowned entertainer Rihanna grew up. Formerly known as Westbury New Road, the name changed in 2017 to celebrate the national hero and share a part of her childhood with the world. This is now a must-visit destination for any avid Rihanna superfan.

THE ANIMAL FLOWER CAVE/ HARRISON’S CAVE

Barbados is home to an array of fascinating caves to explore. The island’s lone accessible sea cave, given the name “Animal Flower Cave”, comes from the sea anemones found in the pools of the cave. Elsewhere, Harrison’s Cave is Barbados’ greatest natural wonder located in the central uplands of the island. This crystallised, limestone cave is characterised by flowing streams, deep pools of crystal-clear water and towering columns.

MOUNT GAY DISTILLERY

Barbados Is the birthplace of rum and the famous location where Mount Gay Rum has been carefully distilled for over 300 years. The Mount Gay distillery is where it all began and through guided tours visitors can enjoy unparalleled access to the working estate, the lands, original well, molasses house, fermentation house, distillation house and bonds.

Scuba or Freedive with Barbados Blue Watersports

• The PADI 5 Star SCUBA & FREEDIVING Resort with two on-staff Marine Biologists.

• PADI Coral Reef First Aid courses allow you to save and outplant endangered staghorn corals to our Coral Nurseries “Adopt a Coral”.

• Located at the luxurious Hilton Resort and in the Carlisle Bay Marine Park; with seven shipwrecks (including WW1 and WW2 wrecks), large coral reefs, Turtle Zone, and Lionfish hunting.

• Highest rated/trained PADI Instructors and our three fully-equipped dive boats means lots of space!

• Free pool refreshers and free nitrox for our EANx certified divers. Dive with us/ eat at Hilton!

• Proud host of Barbados Dive Festival Aug 18th-25th.

www.divebarbadosblue.com

246 230 3064

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GETTING THERE AND AROUND

WANT TO ENJOY Barbados in a totally different way? Visitors can now travel from site to site on one of the island’s many buses. By the time you’ve reached your hotel or residence, you are guaranteed to have come across a bus, which still remains Barbados’ least expensive and convenient method to travel anywhere on the island.

These large buses which are owned by the government of Barbados are hard to miss, painted blue with striped, yellow sides, and they can be found zooming up every major route in both rural and urban Barbados, as regular as clockwork and covering almost every inch of the island.

With direct flights from the UK, US, Canada, and other Caribbean islands, Barbados is easily accessible

by air as well as by sea.

As one of the world’s top holiday choices, Barbados is a very popular destination, particularly during the winter, due to its radiant Caribbean climate. Every year thousands of visitors board the plane to paradise; flights to Barbados are therefore both frequent and flexible.

Bridgetown is the stunning sea port capital city of the island and welcomes many luxury liners and cruise ships every year where thousands of passengers are decanted with a keen thirst for the full experience of Barbados.

Carnival is the world’s most popular cruise line, with 24 ships operating three to 18 day voyages all across the Bahamas and the Caribbean, allowing guests to roam the seas in the ultimate lap of luxury.

Relax and reconnect with nature.

Wake up to the sounds of the ocean on the nearby beach. End the day with spectacular sunsets while enjoying the panoramic ocean views.

Sea Symphony villa offers six airconditioned en suite bedrooms, each with a Caribbean flavour. Benefit from your private pool, daily chef and housekeeper, high speed WiFi and airport transfer. Rental size can vary with prorated rental costs. Rental remains exclusive.

Caribbean International Airways Ltd. has been a provider of quality Meet and Greet Services at the Grantley Adams International Airport for over three decades. Our professional team will meet you, your clients or your loved ones with the charm and warmth for which Barbados and Barbadians have been renowned.

Our mission is to be the preferred provider of quality aviation products and airport services that comply with globally accepted standards, to consistently meet and exceed our clients’ expectations, in a safe and secure environment that promotes ingenuity, productivity and profitability.

Our pledge to our customers is to provide quality service at rates that relate to our highly competitive and demanding global environment. We are commited to reinforcing our attitude of excellence amongst our employees, so that all of our customers can be assured of a service level that meets any international standard.

Whether you are visiting our island for business or pleasure, we will ensure that the time spent in being processed through the arrivals formalities is fast tracked so that you can spend more time doing the things that you most want to do in Barbados. Bookings for this service are recommended to be made 24 hours in advance. Bookings made less than this may not be accepted.

(246) 428-1950 meetandgreet@caribairways.com info@caribairways.com

PERSONAL E-BIKE ISLAND ADVENTURES TOURS

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