BTPA lauded

The Barbados Tourism Product Authority (BTPA) is focused on capturing niche markets by building on the Barbados Brand and Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Sealy, has lauded the work of the BTPA in developing new and reinvigorating older product offerings.

Sealy was speaking at the launch of a relatively new concept only in its second year, the Barbados Sugar & Rum Season, which will run from January 15 to April 15, 2018. According to him, while delivering his remarks at the Portvale Sugar Factory, “It is quite evident that the Barbados Tourism Product Authority, in its tireless efforts to ‘Do Tourism Differently’, has left no stone unturned to ensure that this season has an extensive and inclusive appeal. I want to compliment the team of the BTPA for doing precisely what they set out to do and that is to develop Tourism products to focus on the experience of our visitors, particularly our new visitors, those who perhaps are little more discerning, who want to do more than what our traditional tourists were content with. In essence, you have to look at the offering and this particular effort is a fine example of exactly why we needed to have a Barbados Tourism Product Authority.”

The Minster complimented Hall and her entire staff on enhancing The Tourism Product experience. He indicated, “It is a small team doing an amazing amount of work in sustaining our Tourism offering going forward. If we are going to distinguish ourselves as a Tourism destination, we have to be prepared to promote oneself as such... I want to compliment the Product Authority for having the appreciation of the sugar industry and what Barbados has been able to do in terms of changing the whole concept of spirits internationally.”

He added, “We need to intertwine our Barbadian stories with the Tourism product, these are stories that showcase to the world what makes us uniquely Barbadian and provide exciting new cultural and heritage products in which visitors can immerse themselves. How better to do it, than to experience the story of sugar and rum. The Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) has already been marketing the Sugar and Rum season, we have a food festival at the end of the year and then the sugar and rum season at the beginning of the year. We are continuing to push the culinary realm and our indigenous products. We are seeing record level of arrivals and if the Tourism Authority continues in this trajectory, it is fair to say that Tourism is on stream for continued improvement of the lives of all Barbadians. We can also push our indigenous offerings and share it with the world and it will redound to benefits for all of us.” (NB)