Diversify tourism product to be sustainable, Sealy advises

CONCERNS raised that the homestay programme Airbnb is having an impact on local hoteliers, is an example of why tourism players must keep diversifying their product.

Word of this came from Minister of Tourism, Richard Sealy, during the official launch of the Barbados Sugar and Rum Season, an initiative of the Barbados Tourism Product Authority (BTPA) to enhance Barbados’ product offering in the increasingly competitive tourism market.

Airbnb is an online community marketplace that connects people looking to rent their homes with people who are looking for accommodations. Airbnb users include hosts and travellers: hosts list and rent out their unused spaces, and travellers search for and book accommodations in 192 countries worldwide.

According to the Minister, “We have been hearing about the fact that a few people have showed a preference to book accommodation via online vehicles and the BTPA is looking at that. Airbnb had people here recently... We hear people complain that Airbnb is taking all of their business.”

The Minister reported that Airbnb recorded 16 000 persons using the programme in 2016. “A record year, a year that saw 632 000 coming to Barbados. So we are talking about two per cent of the people using Airbnb. So I think we have to recognise that we are dealing with people who will book their vacations using different mechanisms. That in itself is a lesson for all of us and vindicates the Government’s decision to create the BTPA,” he said, stressing that it ensures tourism is sustained into the future.

It is against the backdrop of sustainability that the Minister stated that as a mature destination, the island must seek to diversify its product and appeal to a younger visitor.

“A high rate of repeat visitorship and natural appeal to older demographic that is a dangerous cocktail if you are talking about the future of your tourism, you better do something to appeal to the younger demographic. That is why efforts like this are so important,” he reiterated.

As it relates to the inaugural Sugar and Rum Season, he said that Barbadians ought to take ownership of rum, noting that it has been produced on the island longer than any other spirit in the world.

“The mere fact that the first time it was discovered, it was here and the first commercial distillery was here in Barbados means it is a story that is unique to us. And we should be prepared to let the world know and of course have our visitors experience all elements of it. And in that regard, I am prepared to salute what the main players have done over the years in terms of providing visitor centres,” he said.

Minister Sealy also lauded the BTPA for encouraging entrepreneurs to become involved in the season, which runs from February 1 to April 1. (JH)