Barbados is experiencing a major boost in its tourism sector as hotels and resorts undergo extensive renovations and rebranding efforts to enhance the island’s appeal throughout the year. The Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) reports a transformation in the island’s tourism landscape aimed at attracting visitors year-round.
Ryan Forde, BHTA Chief Executive Officer, highlighted the progress during the BHTA’s third quarterly general meeting on Friday. He noted that while the peak tourism season used to last just six months, recent investments and diverse product offerings by BHTA members, along with support from the Intimate Hotels of Barbados (IHB), BTMI, and the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport, have extended the high season to nine or ten months.
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Ongoing upgrades at key properties such as Wyndham Sam Lords, Atlantis Hotel, O2 Hotel and Spa, Hilton Barbados Resort, South Gap, and Pirates Inn demonstrate the sector’s dedication to improving the island’s attractiveness for both visitors and locals.
Forde also highlighted significant growth in BHTA membership, with 18 new members last year and potentially 35 by September 2024. This growth reflects the industry’s vitality and commitment to showcasing Barbados’ enhanced tourism offerings.
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In addition, the BHTA is focusing on language skills development to better serve a diverse visitor base. Plans include partnering with the Venezuelan Embassy to offer business Spanish training for the tourism sector and exploring future exchange programs with Latin America.
Moreover, the association is emphasizing sports tourism, supported by a 2021 report from Professor Dr. Rudolph Alleyne, which showed that the sector contributed between $102 million to $154 million annually to the economy in 2018-2019. Forde underscored the importance of investing in sports tourism, aligning with global trends and Barbados’ suitability for sports-related travel.
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