The governments of Barbados and Dominica have formalized a landmark tourism collaboration aimed at promoting their destinations and offering enhanced multi-island travel experiences.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed on October 1 at the Hilton Barbados Resort during the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC). Under the agreement, the Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) and Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) will work together to increase the appeal of both islands, promote sustainable tourism, and develop innovative vacation experiences for travelers.
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The partnership sets a framework for joint cooperation across marketing, knowledge exchange, and visitor experience enhancement, with a strong focus on creating seamless multi-destination travel opportunities.
Andrea Franklin, CEO of BTMI, highlighted the mutual benefits of the collaboration. “Dominica may see Barbados as a tourism ‘grandparent,’ but there is so much we can learn from each other,” she said. “Barbados is proud to be the premier home port cruising destination in the region, and this agreement allows us to attract more business to neighbouring islands as well.”
Franklin added that the MOU could serve as a model for other Caribbean islands. “When it comes to airlift and connectivity, the region must work together rather than compete. Barbados can serve as a hub, and by collaborating, we ensure all destinations, including Dominica, benefit from increased access and exposure.”
Marva Williams, CEO and director of the DDA, emphasised the potential economic impact: “This collaboration will help build greater awareness for both islands, creating a ripple effect on GDP and economic opportunities. Our teams will meet regularly to strategize on marketing initiatives, engage airlines and cruise lines, and maximize the benefits of this partnership.”
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Franklin also noted that the partnership will focus on sports tourism, eco-tourism, and sustainable travel – areas critical to the future of Caribbean tourism.
Key areas of collaboration outlined in the MOU include:
- Curating and promoting multi-destination tourism packages that showcase the unique cultural, eco-tourism, adventure, and wellness offerings of Dominica and Barbados
- Supporting the development of air and cruise connectivity to enable seamless travel between the islands
- Coordinating media exchanges, familiarization tours, joint training, and PR events to raise the global profile of both destinations
- Sharing expertise in sustainable tourism and product development to ensure long-term benefits for local communities and the environment
A joint working group will oversee the implementation of the MOU, with biannual progress reviews and a detailed action plan to ensure the partnership achieves its goals.
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