Barbados is looking to deepen ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region as part of its global tourism expansion strategy. The Caribbean destination welcomed a high-level delegation from the Middle East to its flagship trade show, Connect Barbados, which returned this June for the first time since the pandemic.
The four-day event, held from June 23 to 26, 2025, brought together leading travel stakeholders from the GCC, including representatives from dnata Representation Services, Travel Counsellors UAE, Al Tayer Travel, and Atlantis Holidays & Wellness. Their participation marks a strategic push by Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) to position the island as a premium destination for high-net-worth travelers from the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
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Highlights of the Event
- The opening night featured a traditional Bajan welcome at the West Indies Rum Distillery’s Stade’s Visitor Centre in St Michael, complete with live Caribbean entertainment.
- Official proceedings began the following day at Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle Resort, with remarks from BTMI CEO Andrea Franklin and Minister of Tourism Ian Gooding-Edghill.
- Franklin emphasized the island’s commitment to crafting bespoke experiences tailored to the growing appetite for luxury travel in the Gulf.
- Gooding-Edghill noted that Barbados was seeing strong recovery momentum across its key markets and underscored the importance of cultivating new source markets like the GCC.
“It’s more than just welcoming visitors — it’s about ensuring those experiences translate into long-term engagement and economic impact,” he said.
Destination Showcase and Industry Dialogue
Ryan Forde, CEO of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, delivered an engaging keynote, branding Barbados as “the island of R’n’R — rum and Rihanna.” He highlighted luxury offerings such as One Sandy Lane and Sandy Lane Hotel, alongside Barbados’ rising culinary reputation.
Local flavors, sustainable sourcing, and a new culinary leadership programme were among the initiatives spotlighted, as Barbados continues to brand itself as the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean.
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Forde also detailed the island’s ongoing hotel expansion:
- South Point Hotel and Wyndham’s Sam Lord’s Castle have opened in recent years
- Hotel Indigo and Blue Monkey Hotel & Beach Club will follow later in 2025
- The Marriott Group is rolling out five properties by summer 2026
GCC Delegates Experience Barbados Firsthand
The final day offered immersive, island-wide tours with Island Safari Barbados, featuring rum distillery visits, ziplining, and scenic selfies at Bathsheba’s iconic Mushroom Rock formations — a move that underscored Barbados’ “show, don’t tell” approach to destination marketing.
With the successful revival of Connect Barbados, BTMI has signaled its intent to grow its Middle East presence. Interested travel trade professionals in the GCC region are encouraged to connect with Kyle Gittens, Director of Emerging Markets at BTMI.
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