Tui will increase its flight capacity from the UK to Barbados for the winter 2022-23 season.
The group will increase the number of flights it charters per week from seven to eight. Two of the flights will be ‘rover’ flights, which will depart from various UK airports each week, while the other six will be permanent, departing from Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham.
The total capacity will be nearly 54,000 seats for the season.
More: Tui operated more than 99% of flying programme in June
Additionally, for the first time, Tui-owned Marella Cruises will homeport Marella Explorer 2 and Marella Discovery in Barbados, operating a total of 40 sailing rotations until April 2023, and adding a month of additional cruising to the previous season, which ended in March.
Tui has increased its number of hotel partners to cater for customers staying on the island pre or post-cruise.
Tourism minister Lisa Cummins said: “We are pleased with the news that Tui UK will increase its Barbados programme for the 2022-23 winter season.
“From the additional flight capacity and extended schedule to the homeporting of two of their largest cruise ships and new hotel partners, the sheer size of this expansion underpins Tui’s confidence in Barbados.”
Cheryl Carter, director of UK & Ireland for Barbados Tourism Marketing, said: “We are thrilled that this relationship which began in 2011 continues to flourish, and we hope to continue to build on this by developing further opportunities in the future.
“We look forward to welcoming even more UK and Irish holidaymakers to our island through Tui.”