Bridgetown (TAN): Barbados saw a 2.7 per cent increase in overnight tourist stays in 2018 as compared to the previous year, eTurboNews reported.
Grantley Adams International Airport in 2018 welcomed 681,197 visitor arrivals – 17,686 more than 2017. A total of 826,267 people arrived both in transit and debarking by cruise liners despite the sector being affected by the 2017 hurricanes, CEO of Barbados Tourism Marketing William ‘Billy’ Griffith said.
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“I am delighted by this news and what it says about Barbados’ tourism product,” said Griffith. “It is never easy as a mature tourism destination to maintain growth at these levels in the competitive business landscape in which we operate, but I am pleased that through strategic marketing efforts we have once again proven Barbados’ value as shown by the record number of arrivals at both the air and sea ports throughout 2018.”
According to Griffith, the growth in numbers was due to various strategic and integrated marketing initiatives.
“I must commend our tourism teams both here and in our global offices, whose efforts were instrumental in us achieving this record 2.7 per cent growth,” he said.
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Griffith also welcomed the several new flight that has started operations over the last several months and have brought in tourists from the US, Canada and elsewhere.
“Considering the numerous new and increased services, we also saw it important to ensure that we had adequate and quality accommodations available to the additional arriving passengers,” Griffith said. “We therefore gladly welcomed a number of hotels that refurbished and reopened just ahead of the 2017/2018 Winter season; hotels such as Sea Breeze, Fairmont Royal Pavilion, Treasure Beach, The House and so on.”
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The CEO said Barbados, while celebrating the previous year’s success, is also doing its best attract a large number of tourists in 2019 and ensure they have a good time.
“We have packaged 2019 as the Year of Wellness and Soft Adventure, where we will be highlighting the different accommodations, attractions and activities the island has to offer to support the growing and lucrative wellness industry,” he added.
