Some of the nation’s most popular tourist attractions are in line for an upgrade, Minister of Tourism Kerrie Symmonds announced Friday.
With the island expecting the arrival of visitors from next month as the airport reopens to commercial flights, Symmonds said the tourism product is due to be refreshed.
Improvements are due for St Lawrence Gap, Oistins, Holetown, Bridgetown and Baxter’s Road, as part of Government’s Tourism Reboot Exercise.
Symmonds said: “We need to recognize that as we reenter the global business of tourism we have to do so in a way in which we are selling Barbados to not only Barbadians but to the rest of the world as being an area which is considerably more upbeat and lively.
“St Lawrence Gap is one such example and so as recently as yesterday Cabinet would have approved a paper which allows us now to focus on the refurbishment in many ways of St Lawrence Gap, the improvement of the product in the Gap and dealing with some of the issues relating to cleanliness, safety, that we’ve kicked down the road for a long time and never properly confronted.”
Prime Minister Mottley added that the Tourism Reboot Exercise hinges on three main factors: national pride, the pursuit of excellence and universal tolerance.
She said: “This is our perfect opportunity to put in the time and effort to rebrand and reboot our tourism sector and engender a renewed national respect and appreciation for tourism.
“From public education and training to branding and signage, to attractions and entertainment activities, to a national clean up and beautification campaign; they all will be reviewed and refreshed under the Tourism Reboot Programme.”
Mottley said as part of the programme local campaigns would be launched to outline the importance of tourism and our “reimagined tourism product”.
She revealed that tourism authorities will also launch a new Barbados tourism brand identity campaign to attract visitors from all over the world.
“Everything possible will be put in place to welcome visitors warmly and safely and to ensure that all of their interactions with Barbadians are not just warm and friendly but more importantly safe and secure,” Mottley insisted.
randybennett@barbadostoday.bb
