Major tourism investment to drive jobs

Chairman of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) Javon Griffith has declared that the sector is set to create more than 6 000 jobs by 2027, as a wave of new developments and major renovations drive demand for workers at all levels.

With several multi-million-dollar hotel projects underway, Griffith assured that the industry is well-positioned to absorb the full implementation of CARICOM’s free movement policy while ensuring job security for locals.

“With all the significant hotel developments that are going on in the country at this stage, there will be thousands of jobs to be filled within sectors in the next two to three years,” he said during the BHTA’s Quarterly Media Briefing on Tuesday.

Pointing to the recent announcement by Sandals officials indicating that their new development will create 3 500 jobs—1 700 in the construction phase and 1 800 once the resort is fully operational, Griffith added, “I think that with the free movement of people, persons will have that flexibility to come into the island while not taking away job opportunities from locals because there will be more than enough opportunities for all in this sector.”

“We are estimating over 6 000 jobs to be created in this sector by the end of 2027 once these hotels are up and running. There are quite a number of intensive operations.”

BHTA officials shared that the island is experiencing one of its most significant periods of hotel investment in years, with new resorts and expansions across the island driving job creation.

They highlighted the construction of Blue Monkey Hotel & Beach Club on the West Coast and Hotel Indigo on the South Coast, as well as the Royalton Chic and Hyatt ZIVA projects, all of which are expected to open within the next few years.

In addition to new developments, the officials noted that existing properties are undergoing major upgrades, further increasing demand for workers.

BHTA further reported that the Marriott Group is investing almost $100 million to refurbish five of its seven hotels by the end of this year, with the remaining two expected to be completed by mid-2026.

Speaking about the impact of these investments, BHTA CEO Ryan Forde said the scale of reinvestment in the sector is unprecedented.

“Our hotels continue to reinvest across all levels, from budget-friendly accommodations to high-end luxury properties,” he said.

“We are seeing significant reinvestment in existing properties, ensuring that the tourism product remains competitive while expanding job opportunities.”

Forde noted that Hilton Barbados is expanding its conference spaces and restaurant offerings, while other tourism-related businesses—including Chukka Caribbean, Apes Hill, Royal Westmoreland, Atlantis Submarines, and various rum distilleries—are also increasing their footprint.

With CARICOM preparing to implement full free movement this year, concerns have been raised about how this could affect job security for Barbadians in the tourism sector.

Griffith dismissed fears that foreign workers would displace locals, pointing to the sheer volume of hiring that will be needed to meet demand.

“I think with the free movement of people, we will see workers coming into the island while not taking away job opportunities from locals because there will be more than enough opportunities for all in the sector,” he said.

(SM)