Gooding-Edghill reports “a lot in store” for Barbados tourism industry

Tourism authorities have announced major air and cruise ship business for Barbados during the coming winter season.

Minister of Tourism and International Transport Ian Gooding-Edghill told a pre-World Travel Market (WTM) reception in London on Sunday that the government’s efforts at strategically positioning Barbados as a competitive tourist destination have been reaping dividends for the industry with increased airlift.

Gooding-Edghill identified British Airways (BA) as one of the leading contributors to the country’s visitor arrival numbers. He pointed out that the airline is currently operating year-round, daily direct service to Barbados from London’s Heathrow Airport.

The minister noted that from October 29, British Airways added five more flights per week from London Gatwick for the coming winter, making it 12 flights per week for the season.

“In 2024, between March 29 and April 15, additional BA flights will also be added from Heathrow and Gatwick. During this period, BA will operate double-daily service to Barbados from London. BA also confirmed last week that one of the newest and bigger Dreamliner 787-10 . . . will be deployed on the London to Barbados route for summer 2024. This will
increase BA’s summer capacity to Barbados by approximately 10 per cent over summer 2022,” Gooding-Edghill said.

He also noted that from November 1, Aer Lingus resumed its three-times-a-week winter non-stop schedule to Barbados from Manchester, England.

“The winter 2023/2024 season, which traditionally ends mid-April, will for the first time be extended through to the end of May 2024. This will increase the Aer Lingus capacity to Barbados from Manchester, by 4 755 seats or 19.5 per cent. The winter 2023/2024 season will also witness the inauguration of a five times weekly Norse Airlines service to Barbados from London, Gatwick. The Norse schedule will add approximately 33 516 seats to the Barbados route from the United Kingdom,” Gooding-Edghill highlighted.

He said that this increase in airlift exemplifies the demand for Barbados as a must-see destination and solidifies the island as a regional hub for the Eastern Caribbean.

He called on the island’s legacy carriers to meet the demand by adding aircraft.

Gooding-Edghill also looked beyond airlift, and highlighted how Barbados has fostered strong partnerships on the cruise front.

“This winter season is also a promising one for the cruise sector as Barbados is currently projecting 392 cruise calls with an estimated 715 527 passengers, up from last season’s 358 calls with 608 583 passengers. We are anticipating that our overall cruise passengers would be equal to our best year, 2018/20219,” he announced.

He said that the success of this cruise season will contribute to the overall growth and resilience of the island’s tourism industry.

Turning his attention to what attendees at World Travel Market can expect this week, Gooding-Edghill said: “You will learn even more about what Barbados has been up to as a destination from our booth at WTM. We have 24 exhibitors with us this year, including five new exhibitors showcasing our luxury accommodations. One of the exhibitors is the recently reopened Sam Lord’s Castle Barbados by Wyndham Grand Resort. This 417-room luxurious property will be a major site for meetings, conferences, incentives and events. It is earmarked to be the brand’s flagship property in Latin America and the Caribbean and gives Barbados an additional 152, 205 more room nights annually.”

The minister also indicated that the 32-room Hotel Indigo is also on the horizon for Barbados’ south coast and is expected to be completed by 2024.

He added: “The hotel brand Pendry Hotels and Resorts plans to develop Pendry Barbados and Pendry Residences Barbados, both slated to open in 2026. The island’s accommodation, including luxury and eco-friendly offerings, is vast. In fact, we have 10 743 rooms with over 6 000 accounting from villas. We are aware of plans to renovate the properties on the island as the accommodation sector seeks to meet the needs of the modern-day traveller. There is a lot in store for destination Barbados and I cannot wait for you all to get a taste of it at WTM this week.” (EJ)