Government could soon be introducing a 12-month Barbados Welcome Stamp to allow visitors the option of working remotely from the island for a year at a time.
This disclosure was made by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, who explained that the idea was to attract business travellers, as efforts are made to reboot the country’s main industry following its three-month shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We came up with a concept and it is being refined now as ‘12-Month Barbados Welcome Stamp’. This will allow people from the United States, Europe and Latin America to come and do their jobs digitally for a couple of months and then go back home, if they feel they can work better in a more relaxed atmosphere such as next to a beach,” the Prime Minister said at the official reopening of Primo Bar and Bistro, St Lawrence Gap, Christ Church, last night.
“Government is committed to working with you on the promotion of new concepts like the 12-Month Barbados Welcome Stamp, being able to open our borders to persons travelling and making it as hospitable as ever for all of us, and making it available for Barbadians from every walk of life to believe that for special occasions, or just for so, that they can come out and be a part of this wonderful exercise.”
However, she stressed, “in order for those things to truly resonate… it means that what we offer has to be world-class and what we continue to offer is world-class”.
Mottley highlighted the need for Barbados, as a mature tourist destination, to rise to the occasion.
“We must remember the first tourist is a Bajan, and if we can create products people are proud of, if cooks and waiters work with a ‘pep in their step’ and patrons enjoy what they serve, you will spend less and less on advertising, because once you keep these standards up, the repeat factor will continue to pay off for us,” she contended.
The Prime Minister added that following visits to St Lawrence Gap over the past week, tourism officials will also be visiting other areas such as Oistins, Speightstown, Holetown and Baxter’s Road to meet with residents and businesses about enhancing the product offerings there.
“Why? The people who must keep these towns alive are not just those who come from overseas, as we are learning with COVID, but those who live here and who have a responsibility to make sure that this is the best that can be offered in this part of the world,” she explained.
Minister of Tourism and International Transport Kerrie Symmonds spoke of some of the changes he wanted to see in St Lawrence Gap, a traditional tourist hotspot which has lost some of its flair in recent times.
“We can’t be a post-COVID Barbados with the same problems as the pre-COVID Barbados, so we want to fix the Gap to make it as attractive as possible, to make sure the experience is full of excitement, that it is a place we can comfortably come to stay, eat and play – and that is how we want to rebrand it,” he said.
Meantime, Prime Minister Mottley commended the new owners of Primo Bar and Bistro for reopening the restaurant which was abruptly closed by the previous owners in March this year.
“This site says many things. It defines the Barbadian spirit, that we shall not be kept down by this pandemic, and this restaurant is a sign that we plan to enhance the offerings of our nation by blending creativity and capital,” she said.
Mark Maloney, one of the owners of the establishment, said he believed the restaurant business would be a significant contributor to Barbados’ efforts to jumpstart its economy.
“I decided this would be a good investment for Barbados, not only for staff, customers and produce and service providers, but also, very importantly, for the country as a whole,” he said.
“I want the Barbados restaurant sector to bounce back even better than before, and I would like to double the workforce of Primo…. This is the spirit we should be adopting in the post-COVID world.”
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I guess that put the people already here on the back burner once again. Instead of insuring Barbadians are employed the prime minister is looking to employ other people who don’t live here. Who come up with these ideas. Imagine a globalize small country with high unemployment attracting people from other countries to do the jobs that are here. Who think stuff like this up? I mean the term economist should be redefined.
It is not helping St Lawrence Gap that you were getting parking tickets when parked on the road, not obstructing traffic.
If we want things to work, people in charge will have to recognize what is and is not possible. When you don’t have sufficient dedicated parking space, you have to put up with parking on parking on roads. When you have big carparks as in the middle of Bridgetown you have to open them 24/7, either paying or partially free.
David, I think you misunderstood. The plan is for visitors to work remotely using their computers. Meanwhile, they will need living. accommodations, food, transportation, work supplies, etc. I think it is a brilliant idea. I’m a Bajan who with decades of technology experience who just retired here in the US. If you’d offered this 10 years ago(and technology had been up to par) I would’ve been the first one there!!
My big concern as a retiree would be healthcare. Work on that part and maybe I’ll be there.
David, I am a digital nomad. When people like me travel to other countries, we work clients who are NOT in the country we are visiting. Therefore, no jobs are taken from anyone locally. We earn overseas and spend our money in our local economy. If anything, we help create new local jobs with the influx of foreign money into your system. It’s a very good thing for small and developing countries. It’s also becoming more commonplace. Thailand and a couple of other SE Asia countries are currently the main hotspots for this. Governments are trying to figure out ways to encourage digital nomads to visit more than the usual 30-day tourist visa or having live in a grey area of constant border runs.
@David you apparently don’t understand what the phrase “Remote working” means, or you didn’t actually read the article.
And what about African brothers and sisters? Are they not welcomed?
Really interesting. As someone who works from home in the US, this sounds like a cool opportunity to continue my job and income, while living somewhere else and supporting the native people (rent, food, activities) too. I hope this can safely happen and benefit all.
We remote workers wouldn’t be taking your jobs. We would be spending our money on your island keeping your grocery store employees employed and your bar owners in business. And all while admiring your beautiful island. We’d have the same jobs we would have back home, just spending our disposable income in Barbados!
Great news! The opportunity for a 12-mt travel stamp allows individuals to work remotely (via computer and phone) at their existing jobs located all over the world and remain in Barbados while doing so.
This is a great opportunity and will provide a boom in the Bajan economy as people who stay long-term need things and places to stay, hence money will be spent. Doing this in turn will create more jobs for your beautiful welcoming people of Barbados!
Great news! The opportunity for a 12-mt travel stamp allows individuals to work remotely (via computer and phone) at their existing jobs located all over the world and remain in Barbados while doing so. It’s not taking jobs from the Bajan people.
This is a great opportunity and will provide a boom in the Bajan economy as people who stay long-term need things and places to stay, hence money will be spent. Doing this in turn will create more jobs for your beautiful welcoming people of Barbados!
I am a Jamaican born male, based in the UK and have a consultancy business. I have visited Barbados quite a few times and had often pondered about being able to work from the Island if it were possible. The proposed new initiative is a breath of fresh air. I think it’s a great way to get foreign currency into the country, at the same time promoting Barbados in a very positive light.
I understand the concerns of some of the locals who may feel that this initiative may result in locals being denied employment, but from what I understand, the offer is essentially offering a great working environment for foreign visitors who would obviously bring in additional revenue to Barbados. I hope that this goes ahead and that the prerequisite infrastructure is in place to support those who wish to avail themselves of the opportunity to work in Barbados. I for one would jump at the opportunity.
David, perhaps you misunderstood. This would enable individuals to work remotely from Barbados. For example, a Microsoft employee living in New York could choose to live in Barbados for up to 12 months. This would definately generate more revenue for the island and more opportunities for Barbadians. Mia and team definitely have bajans top of mind.
At some point over the weekend, I read with excitement, the proposed 12 month Barbados Welcome stamp that your Prime Minister is working. What a briliiant idea. I am a Jamaican born Canadian citizen who has recently relinquished her Jamaican status to obtain dual citizenship with Barbados and Canada. My intention is to ultimately retire in Barbados. This 12 month stamp would provide me with the perfect opportunity to start that transition to retirement.
I read that there are some concerns from locals regarding loss of jobs for Barbadians. The reality is that what your Prime Minister is promoting is about bringing in foreign dollars to your country. We would not be taking your jobs. We would simply be doing our current job remotely from Barbados. What a brilliant idea.
Should this stamp be approved, I will be one of the first to sign up. I applaud Prime Minister Mottley on her innovative thinking for the beautiful island of Barbados.
How do I apply
Over the weekend, I read, an article from the Prime Minister of Barbados. She has proposed a “12- month Barbados Welcome Stamp” which would allow people from other countries to work remotely, from Barbados, for up to 12 months a time. What a brilliant idea!
I am a Jamaican born who has been a Canadian Citizen for many years. I recently gave up my Jamaican citizenship and now have dual citizenship with Canada and Barbados. My ultimate goal is to retire in Barbados.
This intiative, if approved would be a fabulous way for me to start my retirement transition to Barbados by allowing me to work my Canadian job, remotely, from the beautiful island of Barbados. This initiative would increase the spending of foreign dollars in Barbados.
I have to say, it is wonderful to see that Prime Minister Mottley has such innovative ideas to drive growth into the Barbadian economy. Well done. If approved, I will be the first on the list to sign up.
Sign me up! I visited Barbados February 2020 and fell in love with the people and and the island. I would absolutely hop on the opportunity to work from Barbados remotely to help their economy.
idea!
I am a Jamaican born who has been a Canadian Citizen for many years. I recently gave up my Jamaican citizenship and now have dual citizenship with Canada and Barbados. My ultimate goal is to retire in Barbados.
This intiative, if approved would be a fabulous way for me to start my retirement transition to Barbados by allowing me to work my Canadian job, remotely, from the beautiful island of Barbados. This initiative would increase the spending of foreign dollars in Barbados.
I have to say, it is wonderful to see that Prime Minister Mottley has such innovative ideas to drive growth into the Barbadian economy. Well done. If approved, I will be the first on the list to sign up.
Hi there – is this also available for Canadian citizens? Are their any formality requirements that our Canadian employer would have to complete? I am very interested and have already started the conversation with my firm. Looking to gather more details so can work towards making this happen ASAP! Btw never been to Barbados but my wife and I love this idea!
I think the most important aspect for us DNs is the internet speeds. I cannot work with subpar speeds and renting a place will depends on the best speeds. And what about hurricane season? Will there be backups to the island? It’s interestingly I might do it but only if I knew the speeds beforehand.
When can I pack?