The Welcome Stamp set up during the Covid outbreak in Barbados has been so successful that the Barbados Government has extended the program. There has been tremendous interest from those wishing to work remotely from a tropical destination. Not only can you bring your family, but you can also use it to influence your friends to come too, which also boosts our tourism numbers, says Hon Ian Gooding-Edghill, Ministry of Tourism and International Transport, Barbados.

Speaking at World Travel Market, the minister is keen to not only update the travel industry as to what’s happening in Barbados, but also to understand how Barbados is performing as a destination compared to other Caribbean islands. He commented that Virgin Airways has recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, and British Airways is planning a wonderful platinum anniversary celebration. Barbados carriers currently fly out of Manchester, Gatwick, and Heathrow, so the Tourism Board is keen to strengthen other airline partnerships too.

The minister points out that they are not fully recovered from the 2019 visitor arrivals, but he did share that the spending has increased. The new Wyndham property has opened on the island with 417 rooms, giving thousands of extra room nights on an annual basis. They’re also other hotels under construction ready to open in 2026. And in relation to the MICE market, the Wyndham hotel is one of the largest conference facilities in the island.