Barbados welcomes home diaspora with cultural celebration

he  Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) kicked off Barbados’ highly anticipated We Gatherin’ 2025 initiative with a vibrant cultural welcome at the Grantley Adams International Airport on New Year’s Day.

 

It signalled the start of a year-long celebration aimed at reconnecting Barbadians and their descendants with the island.

 

Noting the importance of roots tourism, a growing global trend where travellers seek to explore and connect with their ancestral heritage, Chief Product Development Officer Marsha Alleyne said the campaign has generated significant interest among the Barbadian diaspora, particularly those in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.

 

“There is so much chatter in the market,” Alleyne told reporters who gathered to cover the welcome activity at the airport on Wednesday.

 

“Second- and third-generation Barbadians who may not have visited in years are excited to come home. This is not just about festivities; it’s about belonging to something, finding that place of purpose. For many, that place is Barbados, where their navel string is buried.”

 

We Gatherin’ 2025 is expected to span all 11 parishes, offering rich cultural, community, and tourism-driven activities, including culinary experiences and heritage tours. The programme aims to unite Barbadians worldwide and boost the local tourism industry.

 

Alleyne said the initiative builds on Barbados’ recent record-breaking visitor numbers and a strong winter season forecast.

“Tourism is still our business, and we want to ensure that when Barbadians and friends of Barbados come ‘long home, they experience something truly special,” she said.

 

The airport was transformed into a hub of celebration, with live music, cultural performances, and traditional treats.

 

Returning nationals and visitors received giveaways and a signature We Gatherin’ punch after clearing Customs, creating a festive atmosphere that captured the spirit of Barbadian hospitality.

 

Nicole McRae, a New York resident who left Barbados over 10 years ago, was among some 3 500 people to arrive on one of the New Year’s Day flights.

 

“When I got off the plane, heard the music, and felt the warmth, it was amazing,” she said.

McRae, visiting for five days, expressed excitement about reconnecting with her homeland during the festivities.

For others, like 74-year-old Everest Springer, the initiative represents an opportunity to rediscover Barbados after decades abroad.

 

“I was born here in 1950 and never thought I’d come back,” he said.

“The changes on this island are wonderful, and my wife and I are now staying for three months, ” he added, explaining that he had heard talk of We Gatherin’ and was looking forward to enjoying it.

 

The initiative also resonates with long-time returnees like 75-year-old Amy Morris, who left Barbados in 1969 but has visited annually since retiring 11 years ago.

 

Morris, who now lives in Canada, happily addressed reporters with the lines of a popular song by Bob Marley and the Wailers, Coming in from the Cold.

 

“My heart sings when I land here. There is no place like home,” she said, adding that she plans to swim, dance, and fully embrace the festivities during her stay.