Attractions needed
Barbados is in need of more tourist attractions if it is to continue to appeal to visitors to the island.
That is according to Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and International Transport, Senator Irene Sandiford-Garner. Contributing yesterday afternoon to the debate on the Appropriation Bill in the Senate Chamber, Sandiford-Garner questioned whether limited attractions were behind the drop in the average length of stay of visitors, which moved from 9.6 to 9.2 days during the January to September period last year, compared to the same period in 2016.
“I am not sure what would have accounted for that, but we surmise that Barbados needs to increase its attraction portfolio. Our entrepreneurs and our business people need to look for opportunities on the ground to ensure that our visitors, particularly our repeat visitors, have new attractions on board for the tourist season,” she said.
The Parliamentary Secretary, noting that Barbados is a country with a high percentage of repeat visitors, explained that after a few times on the island, there is currently not much more for those persons to do. Added to that, Barbados welcomes many families to its shores and she said it is imperative that we appeal to those children and leave a lasting impression, so that when they become adults it is Barbados they choose to stay during their holidays.
“… You have a market which is going to become bored with what is being offered in Barbados in terms of attractions; because there is only so much beach you can take in. You have to be able to have attractions that excite young people so that they can bring their children, otherwise we are going to see people going elsewhere,” she warned.
Sandiford-Garner made the point as she said that Government has made investments in Historic Bridgetown and Harrison’s Cave for example, but she is adamant that private people need to come on board to develop ideas and proposals which can assist in making Barbados even more attractive. To that end, she lauded those who have shown interest in this area and appealed to others to see the importance of helping to support the tourism industry. (JRT)