by Marlon Madden
Operators of one of Barbados’ oldest attractions, Atlantis Submarines, are reporting an uptick in business for the past several months, with expectations of continued growth now that the COVID-19 restrictions have largely been lifted.
General Manager of Atlantis Submarines Barbados Inc. Roseann Myers told Today’s BUSINESS she was encouraged by the demand experienced during the first quarter of the year, especially from the cruise ships. She noted that once the COVID-19 protocols started to ease, the business from long-stay arrivals started to improve.
Like other tourist attractions, Atlantis Submarines Barbados was forced to close its operations during the height of the pandemic, which halted flights and nearly crippled the tourism and hospitality industry.
With a brief reopening in December 2020, the watercraft business was forced to close again in early January 2021 after the COVID-19 restrictions were reimposed.
However, shortly after reopening with a limited schedule of three dives each day, three to four days per week, it quickly increased to full capacity as demand rose.
“Business for Atlantis Submarines has built from strength to strength throughout the January to April period. Cruise ship business was quite strong with good support from all the lines.
Business from hotels has been slower and tended to be hampered by our very strict COVID protocols. The latter was necessary and as protocols eased, business picked up,” reported Myers.
Atlantis Submarines, which has resumed its night time tours, is scheduled to close temporarily from June 8 to June 21 for usual refitting work.
Myers said she was expecting this summer period to bring major business, adding that she was pleased with the support from locals.
“Summer is expected to be a matter of managing our costs given lower arrivals projected out of UK and no cruise business.
With major refit planned for June, we hope to continue our focus on the local market thereafter, which we started in February,” she said.
“Once we relaxed protocols, guided by the entry protocol changes and the COVID-19 Monitoring Unit, Barbadians have been supportive, mainly on weekends,” she added.
Atlantis Submarines Barbados is the longest operating submarine in the world, celebrating 35 years in business this year.
As a participant in the Barbados Economic Sustainability and Transformation (BEST) programme, the business was able to retain staff members and continued its maintenance of equipment during the hiatus experienced over the past two and a half years.
marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb
