Barbados is set for a banner winter cruise season, with projections indicating record-breaking arrivals, according to Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill. The island has been making extensive preparations to ensure smooth operations and an enhanced visitor experience.
Preparations include upgrading taxi services with mobile payment options, enhancing customer service at the Bridgetown Port, repositioning security scanners, and carrying out remedial work on key areas near the port sheds.
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Projected Growth
The winter cruise season, which begins December 21, is expected to bring a more than 20 per cent increase in cruise arrivals, with over 800,000 passengers scheduled to visit Barbados across more than 400 cruise calls—surpassing the 389 calls recorded last winter.
“The Ministry’s goal is not just about numbers,” Gooding-Edghill said, “but ensuring that financial benefits flow throughout the economy, supporting taxi operators, small vendors, and other small and medium-sized businesses in the tourism sector. Cruise passengers and crew not only visit, but actively spend on shore activities, boosting foreign exchange earnings.”
Enhancing Tourism Revenue
To maximize earnings, the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. and the Barbados Port Inc. engaged a consultant to work with port taxi operators, helping them improve service delivery, marketing, and revenue generation through digital payment options such as debit, credit, and mobile wallets.
Operational improvements at the Port have also been implemented to enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction. Upgrades include a new bunker pipeline for fuelling cruise and cargo vessels, replacement of the water supply pipeline, and the reconfiguration of Shed 3 to accommodate luxury vessels home-porting in Bridgetown. Security scanners have been repositioned to improve passenger flow without compromising safety.
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Accessibility and Safety Upgrades
Later this month, the breakwater area will be repaved to prevent trip hazards and improve wheelchair access, supporting Barbados’ commitment to universal accessibility. Following Hurricane Beryl in July 2024, the Port also upgraded facilities for small vendors and taxi operators to restore full operational capacity.
The area near the sugar berth facilities, damaged by Beryl, is undergoing repairs, and remedial work between Sheds 2 and 3 has been completed to ensure smoother access and reduce injury risks for staff and operators.
“We remain encouraged by these improvements,” the Minister said, “as they support our objectives of increasing cruise arrivals, generating economic benefits, and creating more employment opportunities in the sector.”
Future Cruise Strategy
Gooding-Edghill also confirmed that a new cruise strategy is being finalized for Cabinet. The plan will analyze current data, identify growth opportunities, enhance infrastructure, foster partnerships, and address potential risks, all aimed at building a sustainable cruise tourism industry in Barbados.
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