Tourism set for record-breaking season as hotels ‘nearly full’

Barbados is poised for an unprecedented tourism boom this winter season, with hotel occupancy rates approaching 100 per cent for the first two months of the year, driven by the highly anticipated We Gatherin’ festivities.

Javon Griffith, chairman of the BHTA, said: “We are already receiving reports from our hotel members of occupancies in the high 90s in January and February, and we expect healthy occupancies to continue throughout the rest of the year.”

The We Gatherin’ festivities, with the theme Come Long Home, are an opportunity for nationals, the Barbadian diaspora and visitors to engage with communities and experience the island’s warmth and hospitality.

Griffith expressed the association’s anticipation for the event: “The BHTA is truly excited and energised for We Gatherin’ in 2025. Given the excellent momentum that the industry has been on for the last 12 months, we expect this to continue throughout 2025, and particularly over the summer during the Crop Over festival.”

He stressed the festival’s growing influence: “We Gatherin’ has the ability to captivate and inspire the Barbadian diaspora to come home in 2025 and immerse themselves in our culture, our many attractions and restaurants, as well as booking stays in our various hotels.”

Griffith said he hoped this event would promote all Barbadians and their businesses: “It is our hope that We Gatherin’ can truly make every Bajan the winner, from the street vendors to the rum shops, from the kiosk at Oistins to the restaurants, and from the Redcaps to the taximen.” 

(LG)