Barbados Visitor Numbers Increase Year-on-Year
The island nation of Barbados has reported strong tourist arrivals in 2018, crediting a successful ‘Year of Culinary Experiences’ campaign as part of that success.
Barbados Tourism Marketing have revealed the new focus for 2019 to be the Year of Wellness and Soft Adventure and that Barbados Sailing Week will take on an important role in that campaign.
Barbados Sailing Week next year runs from January 16th until the 24th
It is the tourism office’s belief that the Caribbean race season’s opening regatta that should be renamed the race for Rum, as talented sailors from all over the globe compete to win their weight in the island’s golden elixir if any of the 20 records are broken.
This all-comers sprint around the island of Barbados traditionally takes place on Errol Barrow Day – a public holiday to celebrate the birthday of the first Prime Minister of Barbados and ‘father of independence’. Given the day’s significant status, the party vibe throughout the island is legendary, with crowds of locals and visitors flocking to the best vantage points, to watch the race as it unfolds down the rugged Atlantic coast.
The festival includes three days of Coastal Racing; the famous Mount Gay Round Barbados Race on; and the Ocean Passage Race to Antigua. In addition, the new Sailing Week will feature themed parties and other enhanced entertainment aimed at creating an inclusive, immersive cultural experience for all involved.
Newly released figures from Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) show that the UK maintained its place as the biggest producing market of visitors to Barbados in the first half of 2018, with 150,225 arrivals – an increase of 3% for the same period in 2017. More widely, the island is continuing its path of positive growth and attracted a total of 465,516 stayover visitors for the period of January to August 2018 (2.6% YoY).
The island of Barbados offers the most authentic Caribbean experience with its exceptionally rich culture and history rooted in remarkable landscapes. Rated as one of the world’s sexiest beaches in 2008 by Concierge.com; Barbados’ Crane Beach in St. Philip stands as a premier destination for travelers.
Barbados is also the first Zagat-rated Caribbean island and is known as the culinary capital of the Caribbean. Accommodations range from picturesque plantation houses and villas, to quaint bed and breakfasts and award-winning, five-star resorts.
Grantley Adams International Airport offers even more non-stop and direct service from a growing number of U.S., and European airports making Barbados the true gateway to the Eastern Caribbean.
Last December, the BTMI joined with the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) to welcome Virgin Atlantic’s new London Heathrow twice-weekly service to Barbados, which will recommence in the coming winter 2018/19 season. Newcomer Thomas Cook will also recommence its direct weekly service from London Gatwick this winter 2018/19, which ran successfully through winter 2017/2018.
Barbados voted eighth in the World by Trip Advisor’s “2008 Travelers’ Choice Destination Awards” in its Top 100 Destinations category. For more information on travel to Barbados,
Sailors like their rum and the rich rum heritage of Barbados is best explored through the introduction of the Barbados Visitor Sugar and Rum Season in January 15 – April 15, 2019.
In a tribute to the legacy of the Caribbean’s crown jewel, the season celebrates the cultural tradition of the island. Reinforcing Barbados’ position as the Birthplace of Rum, the celebration will explore the creativity, authenticity and history of Bajan practice across a series of tours, mixology roadshows, rum expositions, chocolate and pastry making classes and pop up village street parties through Bridgetown, St Nicholas Abbey and 18th century sugar factories.