Tourism boom

arbados is enjoying a record-breaking year for tourist arrivals, thanks in large part to the recently concluded ICC T20 Cricket World Cup and the popular Crop Over festival.

Javon Griffith, president of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA), reported on Thursday that tourism numbers had risen significantly compared to the same period in 2023.

“Tourist arrivals are expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels in all markets. This is supported by the ICC World Cup, Crop Over and increased airlift capacity into Barbados this year,” Griffith said at the association’s quarterly media update. “The appetite for Barbados remains very strong, with early forward bookings from major source markets exceeding 2023 by 18 per cent.”

From January to June 2024, the island welcomed 381 997 stayover arrivals, a 15 per cent increase from the 323 948 arrivals during the same period in 2023, the BHTA head said, quoting figures from the Barbados Statistical Service.

Notably, arrivals from CARICOM countries increased by 16 per cent, with 42 063 visitors between January and June. Canada and the United States also showed impressive growth, with 16 and 31 per cent increases respectively.

The cruise sector has not been left behind in this tourism resurgence. Griffith revealed that cruise activity is projected to continue recovering from pandemic setbacks, aided by the return of summer cruise activity and an increase in cruise calls in the last quarter. From January to June 2024, Barbados welcomed 475 028 cruise arrivals, compared to 434 565 for the same period in 2023.

“As you would recall, we had no cruise ship arrivals between June to September 2023. This year, we have had regular visits from the Rhapsody of the Seas every Friday,” he reminded the media. “It should also be mentioned that this Saturday August 17th, we shall welcome Princess Cruise’s Enchanted Princess, which is on a 14 night Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale.”

Looking ahead, the island is set to benefit from a gradual increase in flights starting with the winter 2024-2025 flight schedules. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic will both double their London Heathrow to Barbados flights, while TUI will continue to service the destination with up to 99 flights a month from various UK cities.

From the United States, JetBlue will triple its flights from Boston to Barbados, while American Airlines will resume daily flights from New York JFK. In an exciting development, Delta will return to Barbados after an eight-year hiatus, offering a daily service from Atlanta in winter.