Barbados may boast more repeat visitors than any other island in the Caribbean but it’s never been a destination to rest on its laurels. From hotel openings and extra flights to new events and attractions, the island continually strives to boost arrivals. And with many added-value extras for this year, it should be even easier to sell.
Operators are certainly optimistic. Helen Tabois, senior product manager at ITC Classics, says: “Following a growth year in 2010 the early signs are that 2011 will follow suit – especially with favourite properties continuing to invest in their facilities, such as Fairmont Royal Pavilion and Treasure Beach.”
Katherine Hobbs, product manager at Caribtours, says: “We’re confident that Barbados will continue to sell well for us due to the quality and breadth of the product available.”
Sales are already flying. Petra Roach, UK marketing vice-president at the Barbados Tourism Authority, says: “We ended 2010 on a high with a 5% growth in visitors year on year in December and we went on to record a 10% rise in visitor numbers in January.”
To keep up the momentum, the BTA is running an advertising campaign on TV, in print and online throughout the year that Roach hopes will help keep Barbados at the front of holidaymakers’ minds when they’re choosing a destination.
Selling points
Some great-value offers from operators and hoteliers should help sales. Almond Resorts, for example, is offering a 30% discount on summer rates, bookable with all UK operators.
Increased airlift, meanwhile, makes it ever easier to reach the island. Virgin is adding a second weekly flight from Manchester from November 4 and BA is increasing its number of flights to 12 a week from the end of March.
Sara Dolan, support account manager at British Airways, says: “We have a dedicated customer base who travel to the island frequently, so all our cabins are popular and regularly full, including First.”
As in previous years, the BTA is offering agents the chance to brush up on their product knowledge by winning a place on its Gimme 5 and Fly! mega-fam (see right for details).
Events are another key focus for the tourism board this year. “We intend to enhance Barbados’s reputation as the best Caribbean island for world-class events with the launch of the British Airways Football Legends Invitational in June,” says Roach.
“This fantastic event, along with numerous others, including the Food, Wine and Rum Festival, will be a major pull to repeat visitors and a great lure for new visitors.”
Great for kids
Standout new options for children include a state-of-the-art kids’ club at the recently refurbished Tamarind Hotel. Teens can enjoy large-screen Wii consoles, disco nights, kayaking and knee boarding, while tots get to go on nature trails and be creative in arts and crafts sessions.
Almond Beach Village is investing $10 million refurbishing all rooms and renovating public areas. The upgrade to the kids’ club will include a kitchen for Bajan cookery lessons and an interactive computer area for teens.
Meanwhile, Harlequin Hotels & Resorts recently started work on a multimillion-dollar five-star property on the east coast which will feature a Pat Cash Tennis Academy, Alaia Spa and Liverpool FC Football Academy (for a profile of sister Harlequin Hotels property Buccament Bay, see page 48).
Great for action
Joining old favourites, such as snorkelling with turtles on a catamaran cruise and heading underground into the halls of stalactites and stalagmites at Harrison’s Cave, are a host of exciting new activities.
For example, clients can zip-wire through forests and gullies with Ariel Trek, take a Segway adventure tour along the cliff tops of the north-eastern coast, with its sweeping views and crashing waves, and learn to surf.
Great for foodies
Treasure Beach, the luxury, 35-room boutique hotel, has opened a new restaurant, Kathy’s Place, headed by award-winning Bajan chef Kirk Kirkton. To celebrate, the hotel is offering complimentary half-board to guests booking through ITC classics.
Elsewhere, Sandy Lane has appointed an executive chef. Award-winning Jonathan Wright was formerly executive chef of The Setai in Miami.
Meanwhile, Elegant Hotels Group is offering guests on meal plans a dine-around scheme at sister properties Colony Club Hotel, Tamarind, Crystal Cove Hotel and Turtle Beach Resort.
Great for spa lovers
The Crane Resort has added a spa and fitness centre to its extensive facilities. The Serenity Spa is located in an historic coral stone building and offers cliff-side yoga sessions.
The Tamarind has also added a spa, with treatments using local ingredients including Bajan sea salt and brown sugar.
Great for honeymooners
The Fairmont Royal Pavilion has added 24 spacious Junior Suites with plantation-house-style interiors as part of an upgrade of accommodation. The suites have butler service, complimentary evening canapés and a private outdoor living area. Guests are also fast-tracked through airport immigration on arrival.
Events
Whether it’s sport, food, entertainment or music that floats their boat, clients can book their trip to coincide with an array of events. Here are some 2011 highlights
The Holders Season: March 19-April 17 – Top international names from the worlds of opera, classical, jazz and Caribbean music perform alfresco in the grounds of Holders Plantation House, a swish, colonial pile.
Celtic Festival: May 23-30 – Fusion food, island-wide history tours and folk music celebrate the early Bajan settlers who hailed from Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
Sol Rally Barbados:June 4-5 – About 90 cars hurtle around the island at this motorsport event.
British Airways Football Legends Invitational: June 10-11 – Barbados welcomes football icons including Gianfranco Zola and Alan Shearer for a six-a-side charity tournament.
Crop Over: July and August – Carnival Bajan-style, with plenty of cheeky Lycra costumes and street dancing.
Barbados Sports Camp:August 2-26 – A free event where sporting legends including ex-cricketer Gladstone Small give children aged 9 to 17 coaching in football, cricket and netball.
Barbados Food, Wine and Rum Festival: November 18-21 – After the success of last year’s inaugural, this food pageant continues with top international chefs showcasing their talents and plenty of taste-testing.
- For more info and other event listings, go to the Trip Ideas section of visitbarbados.org.
Sample product
ITC Classics has a ‘seven nights for the price of five’ offer, on a half-board basis, at Treasure Beach, valid for travel completed by April 15, 2011. Prices lead in at £2,099 per person, based on two adults sharing a Garden View Suite, and include economy flights with British Airways and private transfers. itcclassics.co.uk, 01244 355527
Caribtours offers seven nights’ all-inclusive at Crystal Cove from £1,679. The price includes flights, private transfers and use of a private lounge at Gatwick. caribtours.co.uk, 020 7751 0660
