Barbadians back ID card travel to Guyana

Barbadians have welcomed the decision allowing travel to Guyana using only a national ID card from July 1, with many describing the move as long overdue and a step towards easier regional travel.

The new arrangement, announced on Monday by the governments of Barbados and Guyana ahead of both countries’ 60th Independence anniversaries, will allow eligible citizens to travel between the two countries without a passport.

On the streets of Bridgetown on Tuesday, several people said the change could encourage more Caribbean travel while reducing some of the stress linked to moving around the region.

Janerie Blackman said he had already been interested in visiting Guyana and supported the move fully.

Janerie Blackman. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla/Barbados TODAY)

“I always wanted to,” she said, adding that “just time” had prevented him from travelling before.

When asked if more Caribbean countries should adopt this he said, “A hundred per cent this should have been a thing already.”

Kianna Walters also supported the arrangement and admitted that passports and costs had discouraged travel in the past. Walters said she would “eventually” be taking advantage of this. 

When asked what would interest her in Guyana, she replied, “Places of interest.”

She also believes Caribbean travel should become easier overall.

Peter Elcock described the arrangement as “a good thing” and said it represented progress for regional integration.

Peter Elcock. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla/Barbados TODAY)

“Well, I feel it is a good thing, less stress,” he said. “As I said, I feel that the Caribbean should be one.”

“The first step that Barbados, Dominica, Belize, and St Vincent did, that’s a step in the right direction. We are one people.”

Elcock also reflected on his own family connection to the region. “My grandmother is Trinidadian, and as a boy when I grew up, all the stories that I was getting were of Trinidad, although I was living in Barbados.”

“We are one people, right? And we should be one.”

Cordell Brade shared similar views, saying the use of ID cards would make travel simpler for Caribbean people.

Cordell Brade. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla/Barbados TODAY)

“That move from island to island, using your ID card, once it’s a valid ID card, without having to be going through the hustle and bustle with a small book that you could lose any time,” he said.

“Your ID is always in your wallet or your purse. So, I think it’s really a good initiative going in that direction.”

Brade said he would also be interested in visiting Guyana, especially the country’s interior regions and tourist attractions.

“I want to go into the interior. I want to see what the interior looks like. Kaieteur Falls and all them places.”

However, he noted that airfare prices still remain a concern for many people.

“But it is okay to talk about ID, what about the airfare?” he questioned. “The airfare has to matter really for people to really move around.”

Under the new arrangement, Barbados and Guyana said the initiative is expected to make travel easier and more affordable while strengthening tourism, trade, cultural exchange and family connections between the two countries. Additional details on eligibility and implementation are expected before the July 1 start date.

(LE)