Barbados shines at World Travel Market

A Barbados delegation, led by the Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding Edghill, showcased the best of Barbados at the prestigious World Travel Market (WTM) in London.

World Travel Market, one of the world’s leading and influential tourism and travel events, took place from November 6 to 8 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. West Indies cricket legends Joel Garner and Collis King graced the Barbados booth, providing a unique experience for attendees.

This year, there were 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.

During WTM, 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 Gooding-Edghill.

Virgin Atlantic celebrated 25 years of direct service to Barbados with the special presence of 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.

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 weekly flights for the 2023/2024 winter season, totalling 12 weekly flights. 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 per cent.

Virgin Atlantic resumed a four times weekly service to Barbados from Manchester, which increased to five times per week from November 4. Moreover, two additional flights per week from London Heathrow to Barbados will be added between January 10 and March 29.

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 per cent.

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, the BTMI said.

Barbados also 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.

According to the BTMI, Barbados continues to be a top destination for UK travellers and its successful participation at WTM underscores its commitment to the global travel industry and the development of its tourism product. (PR)