Barbados is all but ready to go for next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with some $20 million in inflows expected for the accommodation sector.
This is according to Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Senator Dr Shantal Munro-Knight as she led debate in the Senate Chamber on the International Cricket Council World Cup West Indies Bill 2024.
According to the government senator, Barbados was well ahead of its regional neighbours in preparedness for the global sporting event and would soon roll out an extensive plan to make the event an inclusive one from which ordinary citizens would benefit.
Responding to what she described as a “hue and cry” over whether the infrastructural works, including paving of roads and refurbishment of facilities, were simply for visitors, Munro-Knight rejected such criticism.
Likening the preparations to that of any host, she said one was expected to “go the extra mile” when inviting people to your home.
Moreover, the Senator explained that in preparing the island’s bid to host the T20 final, attention was paid to how the government could “make the average citizen feel involved” and what ways the “national pride” could be leveraged to the benefit of Barbadians from various elements of the global event.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office told the Senate that “even as we heard the noise and bluster”, it was important for the public to know that many of the projects were already planned even before the island was confirmed to host the games.
She outlined that roads from the South Coast to Six Roads in St Philip were all planned for upgrades, including Highway 7 to Bridgetown, although she conceded that many of the plans had to be advanced due to the World Cup.
At the same time, she told the Upper Chamber that Barbados’ accommodation sector was expected to be boosted by about $20 million, with hotels and Airbnb properties projected to benefit the most from the influx of visitors.
Senator Munro-Knight also noted that all government departments will be playing a role as the island gets closer to the start date and seeks to deliver a memorable event for the world to witness.
Moreover, she insisted that while the government was spending significant sums to prepare for the Cricket World Cup, the upgrades to places like Oistins, Baxter’s Road and Pelican Village will be there for Barbadians to enjoy long after the event is over.
(IMC1)
