MONDAY, JUNE 23
THURSDAY, JUNE 26 TO
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Hon. Ian Gooding-Edghil l Minister of Tourism and International Transport
It is my distinct honour to welcome you to Connect Barbados 2025, our premier business-to-business tourism forum, returning for the first time since 2019. We are truly pleased to have you with us as we reignite this flagship event, a re-established cornerstone of destination Barbados’ global outreach.
This year’s staging comes at a pivotal time. Barbados continues to experience positive momentum in the tourism sector. Our performance from the 2024 winter season through the first quarter of 2025 has been encouraging, with strong visitor arrivals, healthy hotel occupancy, and robust demand from key international markets.
Guiding this progress is our National Tourism Strategy, a comprehensive framework designed to build a more sustainable, inclusive, and competitive tourism sector. Complementing this is our Airlift Strategy, through which we continue to enhance global connectivity, diversify routes, and strengthen airline partnerships to improve access to our island.
As we look toward the future, we are deepening the intersectoral linkages between tourism and other critical sectors, including agriculture, culture, transport, renewable energy, and technology. This integrated approach aims to expand opportunities across the wider economy, create jobs, and elevate the overall visitor experience.
As Minister, I am committed to leading this transformation with transparency, collaboration, and innovation at the core. Together with the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) and our partners across the public and private sectors, we will continue to champion a tourism industry that drives inclusive economic growth while preserving the unique character of our destination.
To our valued partners and delegates: thank you for your continued confidence in Barbados. Your presence at Connect Barbados 2025 reaffirms the importance of collaboration in advancing our shared goals.
I encourage you to take full advantage of the opportunities presented this week and to experience all that our beautiful island destination has to offer.
Welcome, and may your time here be productive, enriching, and inspiring.
ANDREA FRANKLIN
Chief Executive Officer
It is my utmost pleasure to warmly welcome you to Connect Barbados 2025 and reintroduce our island’s foremost tourism business to business conference! Connect Barbados 2025 is a focal point for the sustainable advancement of tourism in Barbados. These four days promise greater connection, collaboration, celebration and creativity in charting a prosperous future for Barbados’ tourism sector.
Connect Barbados Awards, affording us the distinct privilege of honouring outstanding media and trade partners whose collaborative efforts have helped to bolster Barbados’ premier positioning on the global stage.
The return of Connect Barbados heralds our resilience and reflects the strength of the destination Barbados brand. This special forum, which brings together international tour operators from across our source markets with valued local service providers, presents an essential platform for fostering meaningful networking and business development opportunities.
Connect Barbados is a key hallmark of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.’s (BTMI) mandate to foster tourism growth in Barbados, allowing overseas based partners to experience firsthand new developments on-island, while also providing an environment where Barbadian stakeholders can meet with representatives, who they otherwise may not have had the chance to interact with directly.
While Connect Barbados is primarily characterised
As team BTMI remains committed to spearheading innovative initiatives to broaden market reach and promote Barbados as the established culinary capital of the Caribbean, we are delighted to present this year’s theme of “From Street to Chic: A Culinary Journey Awaits.” We recognize the scope of the island’s rich culinary landscaperanging from traditional street food to Michelin star fine dining experiences - and look forward to a lively panel discussion on the topic: Savouring the Journey: How Culinary Tourism and Artificial Intelligence Are Redefining the Future of Travel.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, the management and staff of the BTMI, I extend sincere thanks to our strategic partners, esteemed sponsors, delegates and the media for their collective support of Connect Barbados 2025. We invite you all to enjoy every moment of this special gathering!
Thank you!
JUNE 23, 2025
Registration: - 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lords Castle Resort Long Bay, St. Philip
Time: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Venue: Stade’s Visitor Centre
Address: Brighton Road, St. Michael
Attire: Elegantly Casual, Beach-Side Under the Stars - Comfortable Footwear recommended
Connect Barbados 2025 Welcome Reception sets the tone for a week of meaningful connections, offering delegates a vibrant evening of Bajan hospitality, local flavours, and cultural entertainment at the historic Stade’s Distillery. A chance for early networking among buyers, sellers, and BTMI executives.
24, 2025
Registration: - 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Location: Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lords Castle Resort Long Bay, St. Philip
Time: 8:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Event: Official Opening Breakfast Event
Event Location: Wyndham Grand Barbados, Trident Ballroom A & B
Attire: Professional
Featured Address by Hon. Ian Gooding-Edghill
Run of Event (Breakfast Event):
– 8:00 AM Breakfast Begins
– Master of Ceremony: Chrispen Hackett
– Welcome Address – Andrea Franklin, CEO, BTMI
– Destination Product Update – Ryan Forde, CEO, BHTA
– Featured Remarks – Hon. Ian Gooding-Edghill, Minister of Tourism and Intl Transport
– Panel Discussion “Savouring the Journey: How Culinary Tourism and AI Are Redefining the Future of Travel”
◦ Moderator: Eusi Skeete, BTMI, Director, Canada Panellists:
◦ Rikke Munk Christensen – Managing Director Altitude & Advisory Consulting
◦ Nneka Nurse – Founder, Best Dressed Plate
◦ Priyam Nidhi – Lead Project Manager, Google Maps’ Data and AI Domain –Vote of Thanks – Cheryl Carter, COO, BTMI
– 10:15 AM, House keeping announcements for B2B Meetings
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
JUNE 24, 2025
Time: 12:30 PM – 2:15 PM
Event Location: Wyndham Grand, Trident Ballroom A & B
Attire: Professional
Format: Connect Barbados Awards Luncheon 2025 sponsored by the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association
During this plated lunch and awards ceremony, tourism media partners, influencers and members of the travel trade, will be recognised for their work, which has promoted Barbados as a premier destination in the Caribbean.
Awards Overview:
16 Honourees Total
o 9 Travel Media Awards
o 5 Trade Awards
o People’s Choice Award(s)
Resumption of Business to Business Meetings: 2:30 PM - 6:00 PM
is the mecca of Caribbean cricket –filled with energy, good vibes and a love for the sport! Experience the ultimate summer vacation with world-class cricket action! Book your getaway now!
June 11-23 West Indies Women's Home Series
June 25-29 West Indies Men's Home Series
July 5-20
Sir Garfield Sobers
International Under-19 Cricket Competition
Sept 4-12
Caribbean Premier League
For centuries, Barbados has been a sanctuary for those seeking rejuvenation. Even America’s first president, George Washington, recognised the island’s healing powers when he visited in the mid-1700s with his ailing brother Lawrence. The tropical climate worked wonders, and Washington himself was captivated, describing the landscape as "perfectly ravished" by beauty.
Today, Barbados continues to be a haven for wellness seekers. Whether it’s the crystal-clear waters, the golden beaches, or the lush greenery, the island naturally soothes the mind, body, and soul. Global superstar Rihanna often returns home to recharge, embracing the peace and serenity that her native Barbados so effortlessly provides.
From beachfront yoga sessions at sunrise to therapeutic spa treatments infused with local botanicals, the island offers endless ways to reconnect with your best self. Taking a moment to listen to your heart, freeing your soul and rejuvenating your mind is your right, and the gift you deserve in Barbados. Indulge in fresh, organic cuisine, take a meditative stroll along the shore, or simply let the rhythmic crash of the waves melt your stress away.
Whether you are a solo-traveller, reconnecting with your partner, or needing a family getaway, the island welcomes you with open arms. In Barbados, wellness is a natural way of life. So, come to this Caribbean paradise and find your happy!
WEDNESDAY
JUNE 25, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Event Location: Wyndham Grand Barbados, Trident Ballroom A & B
Attire: Professional
Business to Business Sessions Continue
Run of Events:
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM – Business to Business Meetings: Focused meetings on business development, contracting opportunities and market feedback
9:00 AM – Media Only Attraction Tour and Lunch - Departure from Wyndham Grand Barbados
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Lunch Break
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Resumption of Business to Business Meetings
WEDNESDAY EVENING SCHEDULE
JUNE 25, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Event Location: Wyndham Grand Barbados, Pool-Side
Attire: Elegantly Casual
Format: Informal evening event to celebrate the week’s achievements, with a cultural entertainment showcase and farewell remarks.
Theme: A Culinary Journey – Street to Chic
Hosted at the Wyndham’s pool area, the event brings together immersive art, live performances, and vibrant culinary experiences in a dynamic outdoor atmosphere.
As Connect Barbados 2025 draws to a close, delegates will enjoy an evening that celebrates the true spirit of Barbados.
If you’ve been dreaming of sun-soaked shores and vibrant Caribbean rhythms, now’s your chance to make it a reality. Your summer just got extended in Barbados with the “Say Hello to Barbados” campaign. Until June 30th, travellers can book unforgettable experiences with unbeatable deals.
The highlight? Stay 7 nights, pay for only 5 at select hotels and resorts. That’s more time to explore pristine beaches, taste local cuisine, and dive into Bajan culture, all while saving.
With a travel window of September 1st to October 30th, 2025, these limited-time offers also include:
Stay 7 nights, pay for only 5 at select hotels and resorts
50% off second attraction tickets—perfect for couples or families looking to double the fun. Free car rental days on select bookings—explore the island at your own pace.
Family-friendly perks, including kids’ menu discounts at top dining spots. Gastronomic experiences, with summer prix-fixe menus from
As the world starts layering up in scarves and parkas, Barbados stays gloriously sunny, serving up adventure, mouthwatering cuisine, catamaran cruises, amazing snorkeling sites and world-class surfing.
Welcome to Soup Bowl in Bathsheba, St. Joseph, the closest warm-water surf break to New York City outside the US. It’s raw, powerful, and simply unforgettable. Imagine catching a wave with warm Atlantic breezes and dramatic coastal views, whether you're a pro or just watching from a cliffside café, the energy here is unmatched. This Atlantic side of the island is the perfect location to capture enviable vacation photos.
From Bathsheba, head to the parish of St. Thomas, for a guided spelunking tour of Cole's Cave located within the lush Jack-in-the-Box Gully. Cole’s remain largely untouched by human development, offering an authentic glimpse into Barbados’ subterranean landscapes and a chance to swim in freshwater underground pools. For the less daring take the tram tour at Harrison’s Cave Eco-Adventure Park and be awed by the striking formations of stalactites and stalagmites. While there take a zipline to the Gully Challenge Course, and navigate the rope bridges, swinging logs, and balance beams. For the adults in the family, the park offers the Mount Gay Rum Experience, for tasting sessions, historical and cultural insights into the birthplace of rum.
And for foodie lovers, Barbados continues its reign as the Caribbean's Culinary Capital. November 6th to 9th get ready for the ultimate foodie dream weekend at the award-winning Barbados Food & Rum Festival, featuring gourmet pop-ups, celebrity chefs, and the famous Rum Route party-on-wheels. For outdoor community tourism at its best, dine under the stars with locals every Friday night at the iconic Oistins Fish Fry, where grilled seafood, cold beers, live calypso and tuk band music create a downhome Bajan experience like no other.
Barbados is a year-round destination, this winter, escape the cold and dive headfirst into an island where every season feels like a dream. In Barbados, the sun never sets on adventure and the memories never fade.
• Grilled Mahi-Mahi sandwiches – with drizzled Bajan pepper sauce
• Cou-Cou and Flying Fish – the national dish
• Bajan macaroni pie – cheesy yummy goodness
• Pudding and Souse – a Saturday must-have
• Fish Cakes – crispy, spicy little bites of heaven
• Sunset at Paynes Bay Beach
• Mushroom Rock Formations at Bathsheba
• Standing by the iconic Animal Flower Cave
• Gliding down the Harrison’s Cave tram ride
• Sipping rum at the historic Mount Gay Distillery
THURSDAY
JUNE 26, 2025
Optional Attractions Day
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Departure: Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lords Castle Resort
Attire: Casual
A day of showcasing the diversity of Barbados’ tourism offerings to travel partners, through a curated, guided island tour.
Departures:
Beautiful Barbados, the Gem of the Caribbean, offers more than pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. As the birthplace of rum, no visit to the island is complete without an exploration into the depths of its ever-evolving culinary landscape! From the traditional, weekly roadside Oistins Fish Fry to more extravagant, fine dining establishments, Barbados offers a rich culinary legacy that celebrates the island’s heritage.
With over 500 restaurants and eateries, the island is dubbed the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean and is home to the annual Barbados Food and Rum Festival, which received back-to-back wins as the Caribbean’s Best Culinary Festival by the World Culinary Awards in 2023 and 2024. The island has garnered another nomination in 2025, as we prepare for staging of the Barbados Food and Rum Festival scheduled for November 6th to
9th - showcasing the island’s premier chefs and mixologists.
In as much as the culinary scene in Barbados is steeped in history and tells a compelling story of the intermingling of African and British influences, over the years there’s been an infusion of creativity. Our highly skilled chefs take home grown ingredients like the breadfruit and transform them into exquisite epicurean masterpieces by using global culinary techniques.
Barbados invites food lovers, and all visitors to explore its unique flavours - from street to chic. Whether you decide to have a “bread and two” (Bajan fishcakes enveloped in a fresh salt bread and drizzled with locally made pepper sauce) at a village rum shop or visit one of the many amazing restaurants and cafés on the island. Get ready to savour those great gastronomic moments and create special memories, because in Barbados, every bite is another adventure!
DECEMBER 5th - 7th 2025
Get ready for a full weekend of FUN and WELLNESS as Run Barbados celebrates its 42nd anniversary with another EPIC 3-Day experience. From December 5th to 7th, enjoy the festive atmosphere of this prestigious event which promises memorable moments with each mile. It's a unique time for runners and walkers of all ages, and all levels.
Professionals and amateurs alike will stride through scenic courses filled with history and that special Bajan charm. Then, after crossing the line, the good times continue with a commemorative medal and post-race party featuring local entertainment! Whether you're pushing for a PB or pacing a friend, follow the wise words of our theme: "Come for the run, Stay for the Fun!"
The Connect Barbados Awards of Recognition, sponsored by the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, are a heartfelt tribute to those whose creative vision brings destination Barbados to life on the global stage.
This year, as we mark the return of Connect Barbados after a five-year hiatus, we take deliberate pause to recognise the photographers, writers, influencers, culinary and sports tourism ambassadors, and travel trade professionals whose storytelling helps the world see Barbados not just as a destination, but as a place of warmth, wonder, and belonging.
Whether through a captivating photograph, a powerful feature, or an experiential social media post, each shared memory carries with it a part of our island’s essence. These stories inspire travel,
deepen emotional connection, and elevate the Barbados brand far beyond our shores.
We are also introducing the People’s Choice Award, voted anonymously by delegates, to celebrate excellence in hospitality and the properties that make guests feel like family.
Tourism is more than numbers, it is a relationship built on trust, memory, and human connection. By recognising those who share Barbados with authenticity and heart, we honour the vital role they play in sustaining our industry and shaping its future.
To all our awardees: thank you for helping us tell our story so beautifully. You are our advocates, and you are family.
