We Vacation Where We Live: Celebrating Barbados on World Tourism Day

Tourism is more than travel – it’s the heartbeat of cultures, communities, and connections. This World Tourism Day, September 27 we celebrate the journeys that bring the world closer together. This year’s World Tourism Day theme, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” asks us to think not only about the importance of tourism, but also how it can create lasting benefits for communities, economies, and the environment.

Here in Barbados, it is easy to focus on visitors stepping off planes and the state of our foreign reserves. But the truth is, tourism also begins at home, when locals explore, support, and sustain the island’s treasures.

That idea is at the heart of Barbados Today’s campaign “We Vacation Where We Live.” It encourages Barbadians to rediscover the island through thrilling tours, authentic food, and cozy staycations. The message is simple: the same things that draw visitors here can inspire us to explore, enjoy, and take pride in our own.

That spirit of adventure comes alive at The Off Road Experience (TORE) Barbados, founded by Zeko Springer. His goal was to create something unique and exciting while making the outdoors less of a mystery to the average person.

“We started this business during the COVID-19 pandemic so our customers were mostly locals. At the time, all the tourism stakeholders were saying to me that the tourists are coming back and asking for something that is new, fresh and unique, and with TORE we have added something completely different to what was ever done before,” said Springer.

What began as a personal hobby soon became an experience both locals and visitors could share. For Springer, it starts with knowing your own “backyard”.

“Home drums beat first, and it is always good when you know your own country. If we have something to offer we should know what it is like, because as locals we can then tell visitors from experience what is great about our country.”

After the adrenaline comes the comfort of food. Few places celebrate Barbados on a plate quite like Yelluh Meat.

The restaurant located on Black Rock, St. Michael began as an entrepreneurship project focused on heritage tourism and the commercialisation of roast breadfruit. Co-owner Kim Hamblin recalled that a simple test sale proved how much locals craved authentic Bajan food.

“When we started in 2015 it was very important for us to find out the history of real Bajan food and culture because when people come to a country they are looking for authentic food experiences they cannot get anywhere else,” said Hamblin.

Yelluh Meat’s signature breadfruit bowl honors tradition with a uniquely Barbadian twist,  stuffing the breadfruit instead of preparing it the way other Caribbean islands do. Even the name “Yelluh Meat” was intentional, a nod to the breadfruit Bajans love most, spelled the way Bajans actually say it.

Over time, the restaurant has built a reputation for authentic dishes that carry the warmth of tradition with a touch of creativity. Locals love it, and now visitors seek it out too and for Hamblin, supporting sustainability is just as important as serving great food.

“We have never imported breadfruits before… at all. It is almost like in every backyard there is a breadfruit tree and we always want to continue the cycle of making homeowners part of the company in that way when we purchase their breadfruits.”

Yelluh Meat also partners with the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) to offer small tours, showing visitors how to roast breadfruits over wood fires and giving them not just a taste, but a story to take home.

Finally, what is a vacation without a place to unwind? That is where Paradise Point Apartments comes in.

Created by Shona Catlin, the affordable, art inspired apartments located in Maxwell  Christ Church offer a unique escape where every room features a mural by a local artist, from tridents and turtles to Bajan bus stops and chattel houses.

 

“Paradise Point was founded with the idea of arts and culture and I wanted people to have a unique experience but also something that was central and budget friendly,” said Hamblin.

With rates starting at just US$60 a night, Catlin kept costs down by taking a do it yourself approach.

“We did everything ourselves… we have done upcycling with pallet wood, we have used cinder blocks for furniture, we have used micro cement and concrete for our floors instead of tiles because I knew how expensive the island was and I wanted to cut down on cost.”

Though Paradise Point attracts some visitors, it was designed with Bajans in mind.

“Even though prices are low we operate at a much higher occupancy rate of 97 per cent which is higher than the national average of 60 per cent. This is all possible through our local market who come here not just for the prices but for the design.”

For Catlin, Paradise Point shows that luxury does not have to mean extravagance. Sometimes, it is simply the joy of slipping away for a weekend, changing your scenery, and giving yourself permission to rest.

Still, she believes Barbados’ tourism product must continue to adapt.

“We have to start appealing to the American traveller. As a business owner when I start looking at who our competition is, it is those cheaper accommodations that visitors are flocking to.”

However, at its core, she says, tourism remains about discovery.

“If you do not travel outside of your immediate circle you do not get to see the beauty that lies. So whether you are traveling around your own country or across seas, make sure to take part in those activities that make that place unique,” she said.

As Barbados joins the world in celebrating World Tourism Day, it is worth remembering that tourism is also about the people who live here, experiencing and appreciating the island we call home.

By embracing our adventures, our cuisine, and our staycations, we prove that “We Can Vacation Where We Live” and in doing so, we not only strengthen our economy but also deepen our pride in what Barbados has to offer the world.