Barbados Resets Its Compass On Cruise Tourism This is the reputation that the Hon. Richard Sealy, Minister of Tourism and International Transport, wants to precede the island, identifying Barbados as a prime cruise destination within the global cruise arena.
40 T h e F C C A C r u i s e C o n F e r e n C e & T r A d e s h ow
The genesis of the now-expanding cruise industry occurred 52 years ago, when the Bridgetown Port officially opened. Back then the island saw 26,943 cruise passengers disembark on the shores of Barbados. Since then, the local cruise industry has seen substantial growth with cruise arrivals actually surpassing airlift and remaining consistently high to date. More recently, arrival figures reached well over 700,000 visitors. This historic data, coupled with a stimulating performance of a 6 percent increase in arrivals so far this season, has positioned the island at the forefront of its regional counterparts to become the cruise hub of the southern Caribbean, a concept that Minister Sealy and several key cruise industry players are presently championing. Buzzwords like “homeporting,” “sail and stay” and “fly-cruise,” which now resonate clearly throughout the local cruise fraternity, and early efforts to attract more lines to homeport at the island’s port are already bearing fruit. Well aware of the global tourism industry’s recessionary environment, Minister Sealy has been placing greater emphasis on strategically promoting the option of increasing homeporting vessels to Barbados. Minister Sealy recently spoke about the strategic focus for cruise tourism and pointed out that the government’s aim is to change how cruise tourism is perceived in Barbados by those seeking tangible opportunities where cruise and land-based tourism can coexist unlike any time in the island’s tourism history. This
13FCCA BARBADOS.indd 40
would include the engineering of a new marketing and promotional push, to be composed of an e-commerce platform; the establishment of the Southern Caribbean Alliance; and the promotion of legislation allowing cruise ships to open their casinos while berthed at the Bridgetown Port. Energies will also focus on ways in which Barbados can generate a greater economic benefit from cruise tourism.
In addition, he reiterated the importance of mutual gain for all parties involved, highlighting the untapped opportunities for cruise lines berthing at the Bridgetown Port, stating that “the altering of legislation so that cruise ships can open their casinos and shops when they berth in the port is also key in the whole makeup of the island’s attractiveness as a port of call.” Provisioning also ranks high on the island’s cruise agenda. The major campaigners of this cause are eager to let cruise line executives and buyers know that Barbados is a sustainable source for their fresh produce needs and abides by the mantra that as a
supplier, one must have the produce at the time, quality and price thatcustomers want. However, as far as cruising is concerned, the feather in the island’s tourism-hat remains the planned redevelopment of the island’s cruise infrastructure. The proposed Sugar Point Development will usher in a new operational center for cruises, expanding from the inner port to 15 acres of reclaimed land to the south.
Delivering guests to Barbados—this single idea encapsulates the spirit of the Sugar Point Development, remarked Glyne Bannister, head of the investment group that has been selected from among competing proposals. Bordered between the Bridgetown Port and the Fishing Harbour, Sugar Point will be the new home for the island’s growing cruise business. Sugar Point will provide both port-of-call and homeport facilities, coupled with an engaging series of onshore amenities and transportation linkages, new and green technologies, Barbadian cuisine and brandrecognized franchises.
Bridgetown
SH u T T E R STo Ck ; oPP oSI T E : Cou RT E S y oF T H E B A R B A D oS Tou R ISM Au T HoR I T y
BarBados is not just perfect beachfront vistas, captivating sights and an opulent culture. The island has more than a half-century’s worth of cruise business experience and a repertoire of commendable performances as proof.
8/27/13 3:28 PM