Barbados looks to Venezuela to keep growing its Latin American tourism

Barbados, considered the culinary capital of the Caribbean and the birthplace of rum, plans to strengthen its ties with Venezuela, and to that end a high level mission from the Caribbean island attended the Fitven 2023 international tourism fair held in Barquisimeto, Lara state.

The Barbados delegation was led by Corey Garrett, director for Latin America, the Caribbean and sport at Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI), and Ashleigh Phillips, senior business development officer at BTMI, accompanied by the Barbados ambassador to Venezuela, Commander Aquinas J. Clarke.

This year the destination opened an air route between Caracas and Bridgetown with direct Conviasa flights twice a week. Garrett said a third weekly flight on the route would open in December. "Venezuelans do not need a visa to go to Barbados if they travel for 28 days or less, and the flight is only an hour and a half," he said. "As well as what the island offers in events, crystal clear beaches and food, Barbados is an excellent option for Venezuelans to learn English close to home or to enjoy a spectacular holiday."

Barbados hopes in this way to increase the flow of Venezuelan tourists visiting the island to enjoy its beaches and the activities organised throughout the year, among them several international festivals that draw attention worldwide.

Venezuelans do not need a visa to go to Barbados if they travel for 28 days or less, and the flight is only an hour and a half

From the story

During its time at Fitven, Barbados drew the interest of Venezuelans keen for information about the destination. Latin America is an extremely important market for Barbados, and Venezuela particularly so, not only for its proximity but for what Venezuelan travellers look for: destinations where they can enjoy nature tourism, festivals, food, luxury experiences and sport, all while enjoying a safe holiday. Barbados is an island where all of that and more can be found. Venezuela accounts for a high number of arrivals alongside other Latin American countries such as Colombia, Mexico and Brazil.

There are many commercial and investment opportunities in Barbados, especially in areas such as sport, given the significant number of events held on the island, among them the largest marathon in the Caribbean, polo, surfing, cricket, horse racing and motorsport. There are also endless possibilities in accommodation, from hotels to local Airbnb lets.

In ecotourism, Barbados is one of the leading sustainable destinations for investors, where travellers can enjoy eco bike tours of the island's natural sites, walks through enchanted gardens or rest on its idyllic white sand beaches. BTMI and the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport were recently recognised with the 2023 Global Green Destinations Story Award in the environment and climate category.

Among the main tourism related activities, Barbados will host the 41st edition of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association's Caribbean Travel Marketplace, from 9 to 11 May at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.

The CHTA event is the influential trade association's largest annual gathering, bringing together buyers and sellers of tourism products and services from across the region. It will be held in Barbados at a moment when the island's tourism industry is enjoying a strong revival.

Barbados minister of tourism and international transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, said his country was honoured to host such a pre eminent gathering of tourism stakeholders from around the world, as the meeting aligns with the value propositions of Barbados that appeal to its most important markets.

The CHTA event is expected to bring considerable economic benefit to the island, with the destination expecting more than a thousand participants and around 90 international media. Economic gains will come from roughly 2,000 hotel nights, a significant win for Barbados, and from airline taxes and fees.

The event will bring together delegates from every part of the tourism sector, from entertainment and social events to executive lunches, with an opening reception, working lunches, ground transport and more, all of which will drive economic activity, especially for local suppliers.