MONDAY, JUNE 22 FRIDAY, JUNE 26 TO
CONNECT BARBADOS 2026 WELCOME MESSAGE HON. G.P. IAN
GOODING-EDGHILL
Minister of Tourism and International Transport
It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to Connect Barbados 2026, our premier annual business-to-business tourism marketplace. We are delighted to have you join us for this important gathering, which continues to serve as a vital platform for advancing Destination Barbados in the global marketplace.
This year’s event is taking place at a defining moment for our tourism industry. Building on strong momentum, with 2025 recording the island’s highest visitor arrivals in five years. This reflects the strength of Barbados’ tourism product, the warmth, professionalism, and the exceptional service delivered by our hospitality professionals. All qualities that continue to support the enduring appeal of Barbados in key international markets.
Barbados remains one of the world’s leading destinations for repeat visitors, but we recognise that continued success requires continued evolution. In an increasingly competitive and fast-changing global industry, we must be bold in shaping the next chapter of our tourism development. That is why the proposed reset of the sector, Tourism 3.0, is so important. It signals our commitment to move beyond traditional models and build a tourism economy that is more competitive, more community-centred, and more deeply connected to the
To our valued partners and delegates: thank you for your continued confidence in Barbados. Your presence at Connect Barbados 2026 reaffirms the theme of this year’s event “Rooted in Culture, Powered by Partnership” underscoring 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, stimulating, and beneficial.
A WORD FROM THE CEO ANDREA FRANKLIN
Chief Executive Officer
Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.
I am delighted to welcome you all to Connect Barbados 2026, Barbados’ premier business-to-business tourism conference. This year, Connect Barbados continues to serve as a pillar for the sustainable development of Barbados’ tourism sector, bringing together tour operators, airlines, local service providers, and media partners from around the globe to create essential opportunities for networking and business development.
tourism industry. The conference is a testament to our team’s hardwork and resilience and the lasting appeal of brand Barbados.The event allows overseas partners to experience the latest developments on the island firsthand, while giving local stakeholders the opportunity to meet with representatives they may otherwise not have met face to face.
I am also pleased that at the heart of Connect Barbados is the Media and Trade Awards, which celebrate the remarkable efforts of our partners who have helped elevate Barbados’ profile worldwide. Your dedication and belief in destination Barbados are central to our shared success.
The theme for Connect Barbados 2026 is Rooted in Culture, Powered by Partnership, which mirrors the island’s deep connection to its unique heritage and rich traditions, while emphasising the importance of teamwork and collaboration across the sector.
By staying true to our cultural roots and working closely with trusted partners both locally and internationally, we aim to continue creating lasting value for everyone involved and to ensure Barbados remains a premier destination for travellers seeking authentic experiences. Over the next four days, let us work together to create and deepen connections, inspire collaborations, and spark creativity as we look ahead to the future of travel.
Connect Barbados remains a key part of our mandate to drive growth and development in the
A special thank you to all our returning guests and partners – your ongoing support is truly invaluable. To those joining us for the first time, we extend a warm welcome and look forward to forging new connections that will shape the future of tourism in Barbados.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, management, and staff of the BTMI, I offer sincere gratitude to our strategic partners, sponsors, delegates, and the media for supporting Connect Barbados 2026.
We invite each of you to make the most of this week’s activities and to take away valuable ideas and meaningful connections.
Thank you!
ROOTED IN CULTURE, POWERED BY PARTNERSHIP
Welcome to Connect Barbados 2026, where meaningful partnerships are forged, new opportunities are uncovered and the authentic spirit of Barbados takes centre stage. This year's theme, Rooted in Culture, Powered by Partnership, reflects a fundamental truth about our destination: while Barbados' success is deeply anchored in its rich heritage, vibrant creativity and enduring traditions, it is sustained and amplified through the strength of the partnerships that connect us to the world.
As Barbados' premier business-to-business tourism marketplace, Connect Barbados brings together international tour operators, travel advisors, travel technology innovators, airlines, accommodation partners and local tourism stakeholders for a week of purposeful engagement, strategic dialogue and business development. It is a platform where ideas are exchanged, relationships are strengthened and future growth is shaped.
From 22nd–26th June 2026, delegates will experience firsthand how culture and commerce intersect to create one of the Caribbean's most distinctive and resilient tourism destinations. Throughout the conference, authentic cultural experiences have been thoughtfully woven into the programme, providing a deeper understanding of the people, traditions and creativity that define the Barbados brand and contribute to one of the highest repeat visitor rates in the region.
Beyond the business sessions, delegates will be immersed in the sights, sounds and stories of Barbados. From performances by the incomparable Alison Hinds, Barbados' Queen of Soca, to appearances by emerging cultural
practitioners and the talented musicians of the Christ Church Foundation School Steel Orchestra, the programme celebrates the diverse expressions of Barbadian identity.
Guests will also engage with local artisans and creatives through live demonstrations of traditional and contemporary craftsmanship, including basket weaving, textile arts, batik design and the iconic pottery traditions for which Barbados is renowned. Visual artists will further enrich the experience by creating live illustrations and portraits, capturing both the energy of the event and the personalities of those who have travelled from around the world to be part of it.
As Connect Barbados 2026 concludes, the celebration of culture will reach its crescendo with an unforgettable showcase of Barbadian artistry and performance. Fire dancers, stilt walkers, masqueraders and cultural performers will bring to life the creativity, resilience and vibrancy that have long distinguished Barbados on the global stage.
More than a conference, Connect Barbados 2026 is an invitation to experience the destination through a different lens, one that recognises culture as a catalyst for connection, innovation and sustainable tourism growth. Over the coming days, we encourage you to build new relationships, strengthen existing partnerships and discover the unique experiences that continue to inspire travellers to choose Barbados time and time again.
We invite you to come for the business opportunities, and leave inspired by the culture, the people and the partnerships that make Barbados truly exceptional.
MONDAY SCHEDULE
JUNE 22, 2026
Registration: - 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Hilton Barbados Resort, Needham's Point, Bridgetown St. Michael, Barbados
Opening Ceremony
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Attire: Casual | Beach Chic
Welcome Reception
Time: 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Attire: Casual | Beach Chic
Connect Barbados 2026 Opening and Welcome Reception set the stage for a week of
TUESDAY SCHEDULE
JUNE 23, 2026
Registration: - 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Location: Hilton Barbados Resort, Needham's Point, Bridgetown, St. Michael, Barbados
B2B Engagement Morning Session
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:35 AM
Coffee Break
Time: 10:35 AM – 11:00 AM
B2B Engagement Morning Session
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
Break/Buffer
Time: 12:15 AM – 12:30 AM
Lunch
Time: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
B2B Engagement Afternoon Session
Time: 1:30 PM – 3:05 PM
Coffee Break
Time:
B2B Engagement Afternoon Session
Time:
Flavour, culture and island vibes!
NOVEMBER 5 - 8, 2026
WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE
JUNE 24, 2026
story. Beyond the beauty of the backdrop, Barbados also offers the practical support that matters: experienced planners, trusted hospitality partners, curated packages, and the local know-how to help make the day feel seamless.
That promise has not gone unnoticed. Barbados’ recognition by the World Travel Awards as the “Caribbean’s Leading Wedding Destination” for both 2024 and 2025 is more than another accolade; it is a reflection of the island’s enduring appeal to couples seeking an unforgettable beginning to their forever, together. It affirms what so many love stories have already discovered here: that Barbados offers not only breathtaking places to exchange vows, but also the warmth, expertise, and authenticity that turn a wedding into a memory that lasts a lifetime.
After the vows, the island becomes a sanctuary for the first chapter of married life. Honeymoons carry high expectations, and Barbados meets them with dependable ease: beautiful beaches, intimate properties, excellent dining, welcoming service, and environments that invite couples to be fully present with each other. It is a destination where the celebration does not end after the ceremony; it deepens with every shared sunrise, every ocean swim, every flavour, and every quiet moment in between.
Whether couples are newly engaged, newly married, celebrating years together, or simply choosing each other again, Barbados offers more than a beautiful escape. It offers a setting where love can be celebrated, renewed, and remembered. Here, time slows, the world softens, and togetherness comes naturally. In Barbados, every couple has the space, beauty, and inspiration to write a love story that is
RUM, RAILS & ISLAND VIEWS ATTRACTIONS DAY
THURSDAY, JUNE 25TH 2026
7:50AM - 3:30PM
ITINERARY
Meeting Point: Hilton Barbados
Site Visit: Royalton Barbados Showcase of the new property and its offerings.
Mount Gay Rum Distillery Experience
Guided rum experience and product showcase.
St. Nicholas Abbey & Heritage Railway
A curated heritage experience featuring the historic estate, rum heritage, and the scenic railway.
Scenic Stop: Cherry Tree Hill
Photo opportunity and panoramic views of the east/north-east
Morgan Lewis Windmill
One of the few intact sugar windmills in the Caribbean and an iconic symbol of Barbados' heritage.
Return to Hilton Barbados
INCLUDES LITE LOCAL DELICACIES & FULL ENTERTAINMENT WITH BAJAN FOLK CHARACTERS
FROM START LINES TO SHORELINES: THE POWER OF SPORTS
TOURISM IN BARBADOS
Where Champions Come to Compete and Visitors Come to Stay
Barbados is increasingly using sport to broaden its tourism appeal, positioning major events as both visitor attractions and economic drivers.
The island’s calendar now stretches beyond the traditional promise of sun, sea and sand, with road racing, motorsport, sur ng and horse racing helping to attract competitors, spectators and international attention throughout the year.
Run Barbados remains one of the clearest examples of that strategy. The long-running road racing festival has spent more than four decades drawing runners from overseas while pairing competition with local culture and hospitality. Its 2025 edition attracted close to 3,000 participants, underscoring its place among the Caribbean’s leading running events.
Tourism o cials and event organisers have long viewed such events as valuable beyond the starting line. Visiting athletes often travel with supporters, extend their stays and spend across hotels, restaurants, attractions and transport services.
Motorsport has delivered similar momentum. Rally Barbados, described by organisers as the Caribbean’s largest international motorsport event, attracted a record 126 crews in 2025, including 51 overseas crews from 13 countries.
The scale of the event has widened its impact, supporting accommodation providers, restaurants, transport operators,
sponsors and media partners while increasing the island’s visibility among motorsport audiences.
Sur ng has also become part of the island’s sports tourism mix. The Barbados Surf Pro, staged on the east coast, highlights the island’s surf conditions and coastal scenery while connecting Barbados with the wider international sur ng community.
The Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup brings a di erent audience to the sector, combining horse racing with regional participation, international interest and high-end hospitality.
Analysts and tourism planners often point to sports tourism as a way to spread visitor arrivals more evenly across the year. For Barbados, that means events can help sustain demand outside traditional peak periods while generating business for a range of local sectors.
The marketing value is also signi cant. Each race, rally stage, surf break and nish line o ers content that can travel far beyond the event itself, giving Barbados repeated opportunities to present its landscape, culture and hospitality to new audiences.
That exposure matters in an increasingly competitive tourism market, where destinations are looking for distinctive experiences that encourage longer stays, repeat visits and stronger emotional connections with place.
As Barbados continues to develop its sports tourism portfolio, the sector is emerging as more than a calendar of events. It is becoming a strategic tool for destination marketing, economic activity and international visibility.
For the island’s tourism industry, the next challenge will be turning event-day attention into year-round growth.
MAY 18 - 21, 2027
Aero
AEROMUNDO Internacional
Amadeus Hospitality
Business and Fairways
Geotravel
Gogo Travleing
GSTRAVEL
Mega Travel Panama
Orinter Tour & Travel
Pentagono
Prime Tour
Rumbo Viajes
Transaviatur
Travel Planners
Travel Planners
VENETUR
VENETUR
VIAJANDO TU MUNDO TRAVEL AGENCY & MICE
VIAJES LINA TOUR
W2M
Whootrips
XPERIENCE PREMIER
LATAM01
LATAM02
LATAM03
LATAM04
EUROPE
NEEDHAM’S BALLROOM 2 COMPANY
BEDRIJF
UNTERNEHMEN
ENTREPRISE
AZIENDA
ALIDAYS TRAVEL EXPERIENCES
Allied New World
ALPITOUR WORLD
AMERIGO
Bay Travel
Bay Travel
CI Caribicinseln GmbH
DERTOUR GROUP / Meiers Weltreisen
GLAMOUR SRL
GLAMOUR TOUR OPERATOR
Héliades
IDEE PER VIAGGIARE
Swansons Travel
Travel Beyond
Trendtours Touristik GmbH
Untamed Travelling
USA Rejser Aps
EUR01
EUR02
EUR03
EUR04
EUR05
EUR05
EUR06
EUR07
EUR08
EUR09
EUR10
EUR11
EUR12
EUR13
EUR14
EUR15
EUR16
UK & CANADA
NEEDHAM’S BALLROOM 3
Best at Travel
British Airways Holidays
Carrier
Destination 2
Destinology
Gold Medal Travel Group
Hummingbird Travel
Kenwood Travel
Prestbury Worldwide Resorts
PRESTIGE WORLD
Simply Caribbean Holidays
The Villa Collection
Travel Counsellors
Tropical Sky
Virgin Atlantic Holidays
Virgin Atlantic Holidays
Virgin Atlantic Holidays
Virgin Atlantic Holidays
WebBeds FZ LLC
Air
Air
WestJet
MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA & USA
GARRISON ROOM 1, 2 & 3
Airtravel Enterprises
Dnata Representation Services
Pan World Travel And Tourism
Pan World Travel And Tourism
TBO.com
Travel Counsellors
Vacation Krafters
West Africa Tourism Organisation (WATO)
ALG Vacations Corp
American Airlines Vacations
Association of Bridal Consultants
Bonotel Exclusive Travel
Classic Vacations
Delta Vacations
JetBlue Vacations /Paisly
Resort for A Day; World Travel Holdings
Vacation Express
America World srl
Booking.com
Caribbean Airlines Limited
HBX Group
HBX Group
Kemberly the Travel Agent
Procurement Advsory Services
The Vacation Connection
Trip.com
Ballroom
Ballroom
Ballroom
All routes lead to
North America orth
JETBLUE
JFK > BGI (2X DAILY)
BOS > BGI (1X WEEKLY)
AMERICAN AIRLINES
MIA > BGI (2X DAILY)
CLT > BGI (UP TO JFK > BGI (DAILY)
PHL > BGI (1X WEEKLY)
AIR TRANSAT
YUL > BGI (2X WEEKLY)
UNITED AIRLINES
EWR > BGI (1x WEEKLY)
IAD > BGI (1x WEEKLY)
DELTA
ATL > BG (UP TO DAILY)
JFK > BG (DAILY)
AIR CANADA
YYZ > BGI (DAILY)
YUL > BGI (4X WEEKLY)
YHZ > BGI (1X WEEKLY)
WESTJET
YYZ > BGI (4X WEEKLY)
COPA AIRLINES
PTY > BGI (5X WEEKLY)
DAILY (SEASONAL JUL-SEP 2026)
CONVIASA
AIRLINES
CCS > BGI (1X WEEKLY)
Caribbean The
CARIBBEAN AIRLINES
POS > BGI (UP TO 2X DAILY)
SVD > BGI (3X WEEKLY)
GND > BGI (5X WEEKLY)
GEO > BGI (3X WEEKLY)
UVF > BGI (3X WEEKLY)
SKB > BGI (2X WEEKLY)
LIAT 20
POS > BGI (1X WEEKLY)
DOM > BGI (2X WEEKLY)
UVF > BGI (1X WEEKLY)
GND > BGI (2X WEEKLY)
SVD > BGI (2X WEEKLY)
ANU > BI (1 WEEKLY)
SURINAM AIRWAYS
GEO > BGI - (2X WEEKLY)
The Africa
AIR PEACE
Untied Kingdom
BRITISH AIRWAYS
LHR > BGI (UP TO 2X DAILY) LGW > BGI (DAILY)
VIRGIN ATLANTIC LHR > BGI (UP TO 2X DAILY) MAN > BGI (5X WEEKLY) AER LINGUS
DUB > BGI (3X WEEKLY)
Europe
CONDOR FRA > BGI (X1 WEEKLY) KLM AMS > BGI (3X WEEKLY)
LOS > BGI (3X WEEKLY)
INTER CARIBBEAN
GEO > BGI (UP TO 2X DAILY)
SVD > BGI (UP TO 4X DAILY)
DOM > BGI (UP TO 2X DAILY)
ANU > BGI (UP TO 2X DAILY)
UVF > BGI (UP TO 3X DAILY)
SKB > BGI (2X DAILY)
GND > BGI (4X DAILY)
EIS > BGI (3X WEEKLY)
POS > BGI (4X WEEKLY)
SM > BGI (2X WEEKLY)
VIRGIN ATLANTIC
SVD > BGI (3X WEEKLY)
ANU > BGI (1X WEEKLY)
GND > BGI (2X WEEKLY)
WINAIR
SKB> BGI (2X WEEKLY)
SXM > BGI (1X WEEKLY)