BTMI Emailers

OUR COMPANY | NEWS & MEDIA | BTMI EVENTS | RESEARCH & STATISTICS

Tourism Bites

July 2019

Celebrating 65 years with British Airways!

It’s time for a celebration as we tip our hats to British Airways (BA) on their 65th anniversary of flying to Barbados. On April 1st, 1954 British Airways made their first direct trip from London to Barbados, and since then the airline has been an integral partner in our travel and tourism industry. In many ways, BA’s successes have been our successes. Millions have benefited from the daily service between London Gatwick and Barbados, and several careers have been developed due to the airline’s association with the island.

Perhaps one of the most notable manifestations of British Airways’ commitment to Barbados lies within the story of the Concorde, which first made the trip to the island in 1977 to collect Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Barbados subsequently enjoyed weekly Concorde flights, making the island one of only 4 destinations the supersonic jet visited on a regular basis. Our continued success in the UK source market has been facilitated in part by British Airways, and so we are delighted to celebrate with our valued partner. Cheers to BA on 65 years of flying to Barbados and on their centenary also being celebrated this year!

NEWS

Barbados On The Water Festival 16-18 August

#TeamBTMI is gearing up to stage the biggest summer promotion of destination Barbados in Canada at the picturesque waterfront at Harbourfront Centre in downtown Toronto. “Barbados on The Water” will take over the downtown area from August 16 -18 with culinary delights, fashion, arts and crafts, visual arts, entertainment and wellness experiences.

From the idyllic waterfront location to mouth-watering Bajan cuisine, to theatre, and world-class musicians, this festival offers Canadians and visiting tourists the opportunity to relish in the best that Barbados has to offer. Special rum tastings and a traditional “Oistins Fish Fry” will whet their appetite for the island, while dancing the night away to the latest calypso hits, enjoying a hilarious theatrical production and basking in the soulful jazz music of the island.

For more information please visit Facebook

Abidah by Accra opens on the South Coast

Barbados welcomes its newest luxury hotel as the popular Accra Beach Hotel & Spa opens its sister property “The Abidah by Accra”, with forty-four specially designed rooms. Located in the vicinity of Enterprise Christ Church, this adult only, all-inclusive boutique property offers a tropical, yet contemporary atmosphere with all rooms featuring outdoor spa pools and private balconies to allow guests to admire the lush landscapes or breath-taking sunsets.

Guests will also be treated to signature touches such as his and hers kimonos, flip flops and beach totes as they enjoy the swimming pool, spa and of course access to the beach. #TeamBTMI is also pleased to announce that in keeping with their fresh approach to hospitality, The Abidah By Accra is committed to preserving the environment through the introduction of sustainability measures, paperless processes and the use of eco-friendly products.

BTMI Recommences Tourism Industry Training

Our quest to promote excellence in the tourism industry continues as the BTMI recommences the Barbados Together Workshop series this July and August. The three-day training sessions seek to sensitize our tourism professionals about disability sensitivity, customer service quality, environmental awareness and general tourism product awareness. Regardless of your area of employment in the tourism and hospitality sector, this workshop will be highly beneficial. This month, our Product Development team will be hosting two workshops between July 15th and 17th and between July 24th and 26th, at our office in Warrens. At an all-inclusive rate of $175 BDS per person, participants will be trained by professionals in the field, and will be treated to an island tour on the final day.

To sign up, please contact the BTMI’s Product Development Department at 535-3700 or via email at nthp@visitbarbados.org

FEATURE

Meghan : a true Queen

One year ago, Meghan Theobalds went from never being interested in pageantry to becoming Miss Universe 2018. She has carried the crown with the grace, poise and pride one has come to expect of one of our national icons. With her electrifying smile, towering height, and curly afro, Meghan proudly flew the Barbados flag in Thailand for the Miss Universe pageant, and every place she has visited since then.

Reminiscing on her reign, Meghan describes it as one of the best experiences of her life. “What an incredible year it has been for me! I was honoured and humbled to represent our beautiful home Barbados and the 285,000 smiling faces of our people on the world's biggest stage at the Miss Universe pageant in Thailand last year.”

Beyond the pageant, Meghan has reigned supreme, partnering with the BTMI to share wonderful stories of Barbados with visiting journalists, and making special appearances at events in Barbados as well as in our overseas markets.

“There have been so many wonderful experiences that I cherish - the friendships fostered, the personal growth that I have seen in myself and the opportunity to be a part of telling the Barbados story, are all part of this once in a lifetime journey that I will hold dear forever. As the new ladies of the 2019 cast get going on their own path to the crown on September 7, 2019 at Hilton Barbados Resort, I can share with them that this is a ride like no other! Embrace it, and enjoy every moment - and to the winner - Barbados and especially the BTMI team, will be right there with you cheering you on as you carry the flag and honour of being the next Miss Universe Barbados.”

As she prepares to hand over her crown, #TeamBTMI would like to take this time to wish this true queen and Barbadian beauty all the very best in her future endeavours.

GALLERY

View our coverage of the FVW German Travel Workshop recently held in Barbados with German and local tour operators, tourism industry executives and journalists.