EDITORIAL: Enhance tourism package

The interminable wait going through Customs is particularly painful for travellers and returning citizens. Earlier this year, the issue was raised when the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) reported visitors’ complaints. On the other hand, however, we must be fair. Customs officials are tasked with complying with their rules and regulations and ensuring no contraband enters Barbados. It is testament to their hard work and dedication, in what is often a thankless job, that some visitors are caught trying to smuggle illegal items into the country. We do, however, hope at some point there can be a happy medium between speed and ensuring proper security protocols are exercised.

 

Several years ago, Government and other tourism bodies erected signs around the island displaying the names of neighbourhoods and communities. We dare say, however, that technology plays a big role now that directions are even more accessible through several GPS options (though we must confess the quirky Bajan manner of delivering directions is endearing even as it frustrates). Nevertheless, road markings and pedestrian crossings on some busy road networks – not to mention in more rural areas – are often faded, unclear, and confusing. These need remarking as a matter of urgency to ensure the smooth distribution of traffic.

 

Litter is an unfortunate way of life here and despite pleas to desist the practice, it hardly seems to make a dent in the garbage situation. Government has moved in the right direction by enforcing the penalties against illegal dumpers, and the fact that a number of them have been caught red-handed is evidence of the State’s more consistent monitoring. We know, however, that average Barbadians are among the culprits for the amount of garbage seen around communities – and sadly on beaches – which is casually discarded by users. We must urgently move toward a comprehensive recycling policy that specifically targets residential areas and launch an aggressive educational campaign that drives home the point of how unsafe and unhygienic litter is to the general public.

 

Among the many awards our nation has won, Barbados was voted as Caribbean Best Destination by Expedia earlier this year, and in 2015 voted Best Destination in the Caribbean, among other categories, by Telegraph readers. It is particularly heartening to receive affirmation from tourists that the island is indeed what we residents know it to be – close to perfection, despite the flaws that exist. We only wish to make life more comfortable for ourselves and our guests and hope that by addressing these matters (and others, of course) that the visitor experience of enjoying our home is heightened.