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  A Barbados delegation, led by the Minister of Tourism and International Transport, the Hon Ian Gooding Edghill, showcased the best of Barbados at the prestigious World Travel Market in London. World Travel Market is one of the world’s leading and influential tourism and travel events.   Legends to Legacy   The event took place from November 6th to 8th, with a captivating pre-reception held at The Shard to engage and celebrate travel partners, agents, tour operators, and exhibitors.   Under the theme "Legends to Legacy," this year's booth design celebrated the rich       culture, people, and the remarkable progress of Barbados' tourism industry. The event featured the presence of West Indies cricket legends Joel Garner and Collis King, who graced the Barbados booth, providing a unique experience for attendees.   This year, 24 exhibitors, including five new additions: Apes Hill, Sotheby's, Wyndham Grand Barbados: Sam Lord’s Castle, Young Estates, and Private Aircraft Services.   Throughout the event, guests had the opportunity to savour the flavours of Barbados through delectable food and cocktail samples prepared by Chef Marvin Applewhaite and mixologist Shane McClean.   Valued Partnership   During the World Travel Market, the Barbados team shared updates on the tourism industry's ongoing recovery, detailing the upcoming winter season.   “We are strategically positioning Barbados as a competitive tourist destination. The results of those efforts have been fruitful as we have seen an increase in airlift. One of the pillars of our success has been the exceptional partnerships Barbados has cultivated with British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. This increase in airlift exemplifies the demand for Barbados as a must-see destination,” stated the Minister.   Virgin Atlantic celebrated 25 years of direct service to Barbados, with a special presence by Sir Richard Branson. In 2024, British Airways, Barbados’ second longest-serving airline, will mark its Platinum Anniversary, 70 years of serving Barbados from London. ITC Travel Group, one of Barbados’ key travel partners, will be celebrating 50 years in 2024.   Increased Airlift   On the airlift front, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic operate year-round, daily-direct service to Barbados from London, Heathrow Airport. British Airways has expanded its service with five more flights per week for the 2023/2024 winter season, totalling 12 flights per week. Additionally, a new Dreamliner 787-10 will be deployed on the London to Barbados route for the summer of 2024, increasing capacity by approximately 10 percent.   Virgin Atlantic resumed a four times weekly service to Barbados from Manchester, which increased to five times per week from November 4th. Moreover, two additional flights per week from London, Heathrow to Barbados will be added between January 10th and March 29th.   Aer Lingus has also resumed its three times weekly winter non-stop schedule to Barbados from Manchester, extending the winter 2023/2024 season through to the end of May 2024, increasing capacity by 19.5%.   The upcoming Winter 2023/2024 season will see the introduction of a five times weekly Norse Airlines service to Barbados from London, Gatwick, adding approximately 33,516 seats to the Barbados route from the United Kingdom.   The increase in airlift exemplifies the strategic work the destination has been carrying out in an effort to fully recover Barbados’ tourism industry.   Awards and Accolades   Furthermore, Barbados proudly announced its recent accolades, including the title of 'Best Winter Sun Destination' at the Travel Bulletin Star Awards and 'Favourite Caribbean Island' at Ice Travel Group’s inaugural Destination Awards.   Barbados continues to be a top destination for UK travellers, the successful participation at the World Travel Market underscores its commitment to the global travel industry and the development of its tourism product.

 

Introducing the Bajan Fair!

 

We’ve got something new for the whole family to enjoy at the 2023

 

Barbados Food and Rum Festival!

 

Get ready to make unforgettable memories at the Bajan Fair on

 

Saturday, October 21st

 

Experience 12 hours of non-stop fun, laughter and food.

 

Here’s what you can expect

 

Alcohol-free kid’s zone

A whimsical world filled with thrilling rides, fair food and exciting games.

 

Rum Shop Village

This 18+ bar will be filled with the most aromatic cocktails and drinks

 

Live Entertainment

A lineup of the best local artists, dancers and more!

 

The Harvest Showdown

This is the ultimate produce showdown! Who has the biggest yam, watermelon or even pumpkin? This is the place to find out.

 

Local Vendors

Support your fave local entrepreneurs as they sell the best food, clothes, crafts, accessories and so much more!

 

Prices:

$10 USD - Adults

$5 USD - Children (Ages 4 - 12)

 

Time:

12:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Tickets Available NOW!

 

Get your tickets today!

  With its rich culture, eco experiences and culinary escapades, Barbados is a destination that will leave you yearning for more.   From January to December, this 166-square-mile island offers 365 days of countless activities for any type of traveller to enjoy.   And, with the return of Copa Airlines flights from Panama City to Barbados, Latin American travellers now have easier access to the island.   So, before you book your next flight to Barbados, here are six facts you should know!   Barbados is known as the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean   From farm-to-table concepts to cuisines inspired by vibrant Latin American flavours, a food truck utopia and the most breathtaking beachside restaurants, Barbados has over 400 diverse dining experiences around the island. As the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean, the island is also home to one of the most anticipated food festivals in the world, The Barbados Food and Rum Festival. This festival is a mecca for foodies designed to tantalize your taste buds with the best of Barbadian cuisine. It features local and international chefs, renowned rum producers and culinary personalities. This year the festival will be held from October 19th-October 22nd   and through six signature events, it is truly a celebration of high-quality and authentic gastronomic art.   The island is the indisputable original rum connoisseur    As the home of the oldest rum in the world, Mount Gay Rum, Barbados is the Birthplace of the rum. The creation of this liquid gold dates back to 1703. Many can have the opportunity to visit where it all began with guided tours at the original distillery.   It is said that you can find a rum shop on every corner, so tasting the finest blends in Barbados is not a hard task. With over 1500 rum shops, the island is a rum lover’s paradise.   Summer in Barbados is a unique cultural experience.    Crop Over, the sweetest summer festival, is held annually. As one of the Caribbean’s biggest festivals, Crop Over invites locals and tourists to celebrate a 200-year-old tradition that honours the end of the sugar cane season. It’s six weeks of non-stop fetes, arts and craft markets, music competitions and indescribable vibes, all culminating on Grand Kadooment Day. Considered the best Monday of the year, Kadooment is held on the first Monday in August where masquerade bands make their way through a guided route on the island. Masqueraders are dressed in costumes decorated with colourful feathers, jewels and bright accents dancing behind music trucks blazing soca music.   The island’s national hero and billionaire mogul, Robyn “Rihanna” frequently attends the festival and celebrities like Formula One racer Lewis Hamilton have also experienced it. This year, Crop Over will be held July 1st – August 7th.   It is a Sports Isle    Throughout the year, Barbados hosts a number of events for sports enthusiasts to experience. Because of this, the island can be referred to as the Sports Isle. One of the most popular sports on the island is Polo, which attracts the best players from all over the world. There are five world-class polo grounds on the island with the polo season running from January to May.   Furthermore, the largest marathon in the Caribbean, Run Barbados, is another premier sporting event on the island. Known for its festive atmosphere and spirit of camaraderie, the marathon takes participants on a scenic journey route through some of Barbados’ most historical landmarks. This year the marathon will celebrate 40 years since its establishment and will be held from December 8th-10th .   Also known as the Surf Isle, Barbados is home to the biggest surfing event in the Caribbean, the World Surf League Barbados Surf Pro QS 5000. This event was held this year at the infamous Soup Bowl and attracted surfers from Mexico, Cost Rica, Panama and Brazil just to name a few.   But that’s not all, the island has also claimed the title of Motorsport Island as Barbados is home to Formula Two Red Bull racer and motorsport champion, Zane Maloney. Bushy Park, the leading circuit-racing facility in the English-speaking Caribbean can also be found on the island.   During the year there is also cricket, motorsports, sailing, swimming, equestrian, athletics and so much more.   The island is a top pick for romantic getaways.   Barbados is a great backdrop for a romantic getaway with its idyllic white sand, lush green gardens, and awe-inspiring views. Couples can spend their time watching the sunset on a luxurious catamaran, exploring the unique ambience of the enchanted gardens or even go off-roading tours through the hills and fields.   It also has a list of picture-perfect spots where one can pop the infamous question.   Barbados is an Award-winning Sustainable Destination   For travellers seeking eco-friendly experiences, Barbados is considered a sustainable destination. For its efforts to preserve its natural beauty, Barbados won the 2023 Green Destination Story Awards for Environment and Climate.   On the island, you can experience its greatest wonders like Harrison’s Cave, explore the forested terrain at Walkers Reserve and get lost in the tranquillity that Coco hill Forest brings.   So, there are 365 days, 52 weeks or 8760 hours to choose from to make your time in Barbados one for the books. With these six facts in mind, you are sure to have an unforgettable experience.

  When it comes to locations for a marathon weekend, there are few better worldwide than Barbados. With gorgeous sunny skies, cooling breezes, clear blue waters, and stunning scenery Barbados is one of the ultimate running destinations in the Caribbean and indeed, the world. That is why Barbados Tourism and Marketing is delighted to announced that…   Run Barbados, the Caribbean's premier running festival, is back for its 40th year and promises to be bigger and better than ever before!   Scheduled to take place on the 9^th and 10^th of December 2023, this fabulous event brings together runners from all around the world to experience the beauty and culture of Barbados while conquering challenging racecourses.   The event features a range of running distances, including a 5K, 10K, half-marathon, and full marathon. Participants can choose to compete in one or more events over the course of the weekend. Runners will relish the stunning scenery of Barbados, as they make their way through the island's picturesque neighbourhoods, past historic landmarks, and along the stunning coastline.   In addition to the competitive races, Run Barbados offers a range of fun challenges, runs and walks suitable for all ages and abilities, making it a perfect family-friendly event. Participants can also take part in a series of social events, including a welcome reception, beach party, and awards ceremony, providing a perfect opportunity to relax and celebrate their achievements with fellow runners.   Tom Britton, Managing Director of Marble City Travel and veteran of no less than 45 marathons, completed the 2022 marathon and said it was unlike anything he has ever experienced before:   “The whole experience of competing in the Barbados Marathon was a pure, soulful joy” he said. “On arrival in Barbados you really need to put your watch in your pocket and relax!   “It is a most unique marathon experience! No mile markers, no mass crowded start. Everyone begins within a few seconds of each other. You have time to enjoy the scenery of those first miles, ocean, and beach to one side, the lush green to your other side. This is all just after sunrise, with that warm orange glow from over the horizon beckoning in another warm day in Barbados.   “Depending on you, your finish will close up quickly enough, and you are left wondering – how did I manage without all the usual props that you don’t really need. All you need are your fellow competitors who are there to whoosh you on! Finally, there is a beach waiting for you at the end…. magic!”   With its warm weather, friendly locals, and stunning scenery, Barbados is the perfect location for a running event. Run Barbados 2023 promises to be an unforgettable experience for all participants and spectators alike.   For more information and to register for Run Barbados 2023, visit the official website at www.runbarbados.org.

  Barbados will host the 41st edition of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s (CHTA) Caribbean Travel Marketplace, May 9-11, 2023.   CHTA President Nicola Madden-Greig announced that the influential trade association’s largest annual event, which brings together buyers and sellers of the region’s tourism products and services, will be staged in Barbados for the first time in the organization’s history.   “CHTA has a very strong relationship with both public and private sector stakeholders in Barbados, and as we position the region’s top earner for robust growth this year, we are delighted to lock arms with our Bajan partners to drive business to the Caribbean,” she stated.   Ian Gooding-Edghill, Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport, said the Barbados tourism industry was undergoing a major renaissance in the post-COVID environment, and the timing could not be better to welcome Caribbean Travel Marketplace to local soil.   “We are honored to host such a preeminent gathering of tourism stakeholders from around the world,” said Minister Gooding-Edghill, who believes the meeting aligns with Barbados’ value offerings, which appeal, among others, to the very important MICE market.   Caribbean Travel Marketplace 41 will build on the success of last fall’s 40th edition, which was held in Puerto Rico.   A highlight of the Puerto Rico meeting was the launch of the first Caribbean Travel Forum & Awards, the second edition of which will be held in Barbados on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, ahead of the official opening ceremony of Caribbean Travel Marketplace. The Forum will once again focus on the business of tourism, while business appointments will be held on Wednesday, May 10 and Thursday, May 11.   “Our private sector partners, together with the BTMI and the Ministry of Tourism and Transport, are keen to showcase Barbados’ exceptional product and experiences and we cannot wait to welcome you to our island home,” said Renée Coppin, Chairman of the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association.   Meanwhile, Madden-Greig noted that this year’s Marketplace will also provide unique access to the Eastern Caribbean for buyers and tour operators as the region places a strong focus on the revival of multi-destination travel. Marketplace will be held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre. Registration details will be available soon.   For more information, visit www.chtamarketplace.com.

  Kayaking  

  In a tiny village on the outskirts of the capital Bridgetown, a quaint domicile shelters a little girl from the tropical sun while she lays in bed dreaming. This little girl with dreams bigger than anyone can fathom runs around the house and her neighbourhood with a hairbrush as her microphone singing Whitney Houston’s songs. Fast forward - It's approximately 15 years later, and now little girls, not only from her community and island home but from around the world, hold hair brushes in hand pretending to be her. Robyn Rihanna Fenty, Rihanna, is a global icon dominating the entertainment, cosmetic and fashion scenes. Her name is now a multibillion-dollar brand, and her rise to fame and fortune reads like a fairy tale, and as with all fairy tales, we have to start at the beginning.   Where It Started - Life In Barbados   Once upon a time… on February 20, 1988, on the Caribbean island of Barbados, Robyn Rihanna Fenty, was born. The eldest of three children, she grew up like any other girl from the island, running around, playing and hanging out with her two brothers at the beach. The small, close-knit neighbourhood where she grew kept her safe and allowed her to blossom under the influence of her mother (an accountant) and to a much lesser extent her father (a warehouse supervisor).     School life for Rihanna in Barbados was a good one. Charles F Broome Memorial Primary school is where she got her initial education then she went on to attend one of the most prestigious schools on the island, Combermere. Interestingly, while going to school at Combermere, she was an army cadet. The cadet program is a military program for kids in school. It was also while attending this school that her musical aspirations were materialising. In 2003 Rihanna, along with two other girls, formed a trio with ambitions to 'make it big' in the entertainment industry. As fate would have it, the trio landed an informal audition with American music producer, Evan Rogers while he was vacationing in Barbados. It was at that audition that the now-famous quote was coined. " The minute Rihanna walked into the room; it was like the other two girls didn't exist". Clearly, Rogers was impressed by Rihanna, which led to her travelling to record a series of demos. Over the next year, Rihanna travelled back and forth between the US and Barbados recording demos and sending them off to record labels.     Things Were About To Change   At age sixteen Rihanna and her mother made a decision, a challenging one for a mother of a teenage girl but for Rihanna it was easy. She emigrated to the United States of America and moved in with Rogers and his wife.  Rihanna is quoted as saying, "I wanted to do what I had to do, even if it meant moving to America".  That bold move to leave everything including friends, family, and the place she called home to pursue her dreams, paid off in January of 2005.  Rogers, dedicated to making Rihanna the star he believed her to be, was able to secure an audition with Jay Z who was the newly appointed president of Def Jam Records.  As the story goes, Rihanna sang for the Hip Hop legend and music mogul L.A Reid. She performed the demo version of 'Pon De Replay' along with two other songs. Both gentlemen were wowed not only by her vocal ability but by her commanding presence and dedication. So impressed was Reid that he told Jay - Z not to let her leave until “a deal was done” - They finished at 3 am, 12 hrs later.     The Rise To Stardom And Beyond   After that legendary meeting, the name Rihanna was about to be on everyone’s lips. She transitioned from the unknown island girl from Barbados to the girl everyone wanted to know about.     In August 2005, seven months after signing for Def Jam, her debut album was released - Music of the Sun. Prior to its release the single 'Pon De Replay' debuted and was an instant success, reaching number 2 on the Billboard singles chart, while the album peaked at number 10 on the album charts. With one hit song and an album in the bag, Rihanna and her team continued to work, and her second album ‘Girl Like Me’ was released. The second was even better than the first and two major hit singles, 'Unfaithful' and 'SOS'. ‘SOS’ subsequently became her first number one record and Rihanna had arrived! From there she released one album each year until 2016.     Along the way, she became the 1st Barbadian to win a Grammy award with her mega-hit 'Umbrella' in 2008.  By the end of 2016, she was one of the music industry's most successful artists and a global icon, selling more than 250 million records worldwide. Smashing records and winning awards and making history.  

• 9 Grammy Awards, 33 Nominations
• 12 Billboard Music Awards
• 13 American Music Awards
• 8 People's Choice Awards
• 2013 American Music 'Icon Award'
• Michael Jackson Vanguard Award
• 7 MTV Awards
• Guinness World Record for most digital sales- over 58 million
• NAACP President’s Award
• The only artist to have scored five #1 songs in a calendar year on the Dance Club Songs Chart.
• 31 Top 10 Hits on the Billboard Hot 100
• World's Richest Female Musician with a Net Worth of $600 Million by 2020
• Appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Barbados
• In 2017 the location of her original residence was renamed Rihanna Drive.
• First Black Woman to Head a LVMH Fashion House
• Harvard University- Humanitarian of the Year, 2017

  Rihanna, The Philanthropist   "If we have been blessed with talents, wealth, knowledge, time, and the like, it is expected that it benefits others" The biblical words taken from the book of Luke aptly describe Rihanna's philanthropic mission.  In 2012 Rihanna launched her charity, The Clara Lionel Foundation.  Named in honour of her grandparents Clara and Lionel Braithwaite, the foundation's mission is to provide access to proper education and development of health, arts, and culture, as well as to contribute to emergency response programs around the world.  It also involves global advocacy with the goal of improving the quality of life for younger people.     The Foundation has grown tremendously since then, donating millions of dollars to various causes including the establishment of the Clara Braithwaite Center for Oncology and Nuclear Medicine at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados.  Also of note in her charitable endeavours is the Diamond Ball, an annual charitable event which attracts the who is who in the entertainment arena. In 2019 the Ball raised over five million dollars to support the work of her Clara Lionel Foundation.   Her Legacy   It is difficult to fathom that in the span of just a few years, Rihanna has not only accomplished and given so much, but her impact on the musical and entertainment landscape is almost legendary. However, it goes beyond those two realms.  Her dominance in the cosmetic and fashion industry has redefined beauty and the promotion of diversity.  Her brand, Fenty and her name Rihanna represent a social revolution that being different is ok.  She has not released an album since 2016, yet her iconic dominance is unmatched and demonstrates the power she holds and the depth of her legacy.     Nevertheless, Rihanna, the star, the beauty mogul, the wealthiest female musician in the world, is still the darling of her home country of Barbados. Home to her is a special place, and the Barbadian people have a special place in their hearts for her. No price tag can be placed on the global exposure Rihanna has afforded Barbados. The island has benefitted from tremendous exposure almost simultaneously with the rise of her stardom. Already a hot pot for the rich and famous it has notably become even more so, especially during the island's summer festival, Crop Over. Naturally, Rihanna tries to make it a must to return adorned in her costume to be a part of the festivities.   At 31 years old to say the sky's the limit for Rihanna is not enough. She has accomplished so much and impacted so many lives in such a short period of time, yet it seems like she has so much left to accomplish. Her story is one of hope and one that demonstrates dreams do come through. The little girl from Barbados who played in her neighbourhood of Westbury now has the street where she annoyed neighbours singing Whitney and Madonna’s songs named after her. It reads like a fairy tale, and the story is still to be continued...

Coming out of Covid, Jens sees Barbados' future is to create the framework, on top of its great beaches, to facilitate the local community and businesses to understand, buy-in, and build a sustainable 360 ecosystem, which by its own nature, bonds with the visitors.

 

Barbados Tourism Marketing Awarded the Most Supportive Tourist Board at Elegant Resorts’ Supplier Awards 2022

  Following a successful first day at World Travel Market London, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. were honoured to be awarded the most supportive tourist board by Elegant Resorts at their annual supplier awards.   Over 100 hoteliers, airline representatives and DMCs attended the awards ceremony which took place at The Savoy, London, on November 7^th. It was the first time it had taken place in person in two years. also honoured key Barbados luxury properties, including the O2 Beach Club, awarded the Best Newcomer 2022 at the ceremony, and Sandy Lane, nominated by Elegant Resorts for the Client Choice Award 2022.   Elegant Resorts are a key partner for Barbados Tourism. Their passionate team with over 30 years of experience make them a leader in luxury travel across the UK. Barbados is currently Elegant’s top-performing destination and, year-to-date bookings are trending over 9% up in terms of revenue, and 3% up in actual passenger numbers versus 2019. According to Elegant Resorts, there are various reasons why Barbados is popular with British tourists, including the island’s world-class immersive experiences, visitor safety, and an unrivalled culinary scene.   At the event, Elegant Resorts announced that their average selling price had gone through the roof, increasing from £15,000 to £22,000 this year. Travel agent bookings and sales through the operator’s members club, The Chairman’s Club, also averaged £35,000.   World Travel Market is one of the leading annual events for the international travel sector, hosted in the ExCel Centre, London. The Barbados delegation, led by Minister for Tourism and International Travel, the Hon. Ian Gooding-Edgehill attended WTM in London for three days of meetings with media, suppliers, and agents from all corners of the world.

  On Thursday, September 22nd, the Government of Barbados announced its changes to the travel entry protocols.   Effective midnight, Thursday September 22nd, 2022, Barbados have discontinued all COVID-19 related travel protocols. Therefore, there will be no testing requirements for entering Barbados whether you are vaccinated or unvaccinated.   In addition, the wearing of masks generally will now be optional. Mask wearing only remains mandatory for persons working in and visiting healthcare facilities, nursing homes, hospitals and senior citizens' homes; persons travelling on public transportation; and for persons who are COVID-19 positive.   Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Sen. the Hon. Lisa Cummins stated that “This is the last step for us which reflects our position as fully open for business following the COVID-19 pandemic. We look forward to continuing to welcome visitors to our shores to experience all of the new and returning events slated for the rest of the year, and into early 2023.”.   For more information on Barbados’ travel protocols, visit www.barbadostravelprotocols.com.

The Government of Barbados announced the scrapping of remaining Covid-19 related entry protocols. Effective now, there will be no testing requirements for entering Barbados regardless of vaccination status. In addition, the wearing of masks will now be optional. Mask wearing only remains mandatory for persons working in and visiting healthcare facilities, and when travelling on public transportation Anyone Covid-19 positive must wear a mask. Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Lisa Cummins said: “This is the last step for us which reflects our position as fully open for business following the pandemic. We look forward to continuing to welcome visitors and returning events slated for the rest of the year.”