Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) has added four new awards to the list of prestigious awards up for grabs this year at the Association’s 2024 Tourism Awards Gala Dinner on Saturday, June 8 at the Wyndham Grand Barbados, Sam Lord’s Castle Resort & Spa.

Chairman of the Association, Renée Coppin, stated that the new award categories are the BHTA Transportation Provider of the Year, Special Award (in any endeavour), Bartender/Mixologist of the Year and Chef of the Year.

She explained that the new awards were added to highlight key contributors to the excellence of our tourism product and experience, “Tourism service is diverse and multifaceted, but we certainly feel that these awards shine a needed spotlight and the special award allows us the opportunity to reward someone who may not fit neatly into the established categories.

“The Transportation Provider of the Year award will go to a company, co-operative or taxi/rental company which has provided exemplary service to the industry in all sectors – cruise, tours, etc.; while the Special Award will be presented to an individual, company or corporation operating within Barbados that demonstrated exceptional service, outstanding acts, professionalism, and dedication towards the nation’s response in any particular endeavour.”

Coppin added that the BHTA Bartender/Mixologist of the Year Award will be presented to a bartender who is employed either in an independent bar or within a hotel, possesses excellent mixology skills and is well-versed in making cocktails and mixing alcoholic drinks with a wide range of spirits, among other skills.

“Likewise, the Chef of the Year Award will go to a chef who sets high culinary standards and has served as a positive role model for other food professionals on his team and otherwise. He/she should be a chef for a minimum of three years and should demonstrate flair, creativity and culinary skills in creating recipes for both local and other cuisines,” she explained.

The biennial awards ceremony, held at the end of the two-year tenure of each BHTA Chairman to celebrate the outstanding contribution of BHTA members to the tourism industry, is sponsored by Gallagher Insurance Barbados Brokers Limited and will also feature Hotel of the Year – Luxury, A Class, B-Class & Apartments and Vacation Rental Property Management Company of the Year award categories.

Other awards include the Business Excellence of the Year Award in the categories Restaurant Member, Tourism Attraction, Supporting Member, Tourism Industry Supplier and Tourism Industry Partner; BHTA Environmental and Sustainability Award; Social Responsibility Award, Employee of the Year Award and the Life Time Achievement Award.

Coppin noted that nominations for the awards open from today, Thursday, May 2 to Thursday, May 16 to any person, accommodation property, restaurant, activity or attraction, industry supplier, service provider or supporter of the industry.  She said, “The nomination should be for outstanding performance and contribution to the growth, development and sustainability of the tourism industry.  The only criterion is that the nominee must be member of the BHTA.”

The 2022 BHTA awardees were Sandy Lane Hotel, Little Arches Boutique Hotel, Eco Lifestyle & Lodge, Blue Sky Luxury, Chefette Restaurants Ltd., Atlantis Submarines Barbados, Gallagher, Flow Barbados / C&W Business, Enterprise Growth Fund Ltd., The Crane, Hanif Walcott, Jackie White and Sunil Chatrani. (PR)

The Ministry of Tourism and International Transport is celebrating British Airways’ (BA) 70 years of service to Barbados, which began on April 1, 1954.

To mark the platinum anniversary, a number of activities took place, including the inaugural 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft service from London, Heathrow to Barbados on March 31, and BA’s Avison Points Programme promotion, which offered 400 half-term reward seats. 

There was also an inflight complimentary treat of Mount Gay’s XO and Eclipse for passengers coming to Barbados, as a result of a partnership with Mount Gay Distilleries Limited.

Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.’s (BTMI) Chief Operations Officer, Cheryl Carter, and British Airways, Chief Commercial Officer, Colm Lacy, highlighted those activities and spoke of the long-standing partnership between Barbados and British Airways, during a press briefing at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, last evening.

Ms. Carter, who spoke on behalf of Minister of Tourism, Ian Gooding-Edghill, noted that for BA to mark a platinum anniversary service with the island signifies confidence in the partnership with Barbados, and also marks a significant chapter in Barbados’ aviation history.

The BTMI official pointed out that the airline’s expansive international network has served as an essential gateway to connecting the island with the world and fostering invaluable relationships across borders, as well as helping the island’s tourism sector rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.

She indicated that the airline has plans to increase its flight capacity to Barbados, beginning in the 2024/2025 winter season, and this move will assist in the country’s efforts to provide airlift and enhance its tourism growth strategy as it seeks to pursue deeper penetration into Europe as well as the emerging markets of Middle East and Africa.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire team at BA for your resolute dedication to strengthening ties between London and Bridgetown… and extend a hearty thank you to British Airways for its role in supporting Barbados’ ongoing tourism recovery. We look forward to jointly steering ahead to combat the external shocks which impact the global tourism industry,” Ms. Carter stated.

Mr. Lacy emphasised that it was an honour to be commemorating the platinum anniversary of British Airways connecting London with the “beautiful island of Barbados”.

“Seventy years ago, British Airways embarked on a journey that would forge a bond between nations creating lasting friendships, and shape unforgettable memories for travellers across generations. Since our inaugural flight in 1954, we’ve been privileged to serve as a link, vital bridge between the United Kingdom and Barbados, enriching lives, facilitating business, and sharing culture. Looking ahead, our commitment to Barbados and the wider Caribbean remains as strong as ever. We are dedicated to providing our customers with a premium travel experience that surpasses expectations,” BA’s Chief Commercial Officer stated.

Speaking on the company’s decision to increase airlift capacity, he said it was because Barbados is viewed as a key destination in their network. “Our decision to offer double daily flights is driven by the strong demand and our steadfast commitment to Barbados as a key destination in our network. We are dedicated to providing our customers with more flexibility and a greater choice of flights, thereby enhancing their travel experience to this magnificent island,” Mr. Lacy said. (PR/GIS)

Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, has expressed “full confidence” in the abilities of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.’s (BTMI) new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Andrea Franklin, and Chief Operations Officer (COO), Cheryl Carter, as he welcomed them in their new roles.

Speaking during a press conference at the Ministry’s headquarters at Warrens, St. Michael, Mr. Gooding Edghill noted that collectively Ms. Franklin and Ms. Carter have over 46 years’ experience, and he believes that they will execute the plans of the BTMI for the betterment of the industry and Barbados overall.

“They both have my full confidence and that is particularly important because whenever you start to lead an organisation, you must not only have the confidence of the Board of Directors … but you must have the full confidence of the minister, who’s responsible for the overall policy direction.

“They, in my judgement, are eminently qualified to lead the organisation. Any one of them could have led this organisation, but I’m particularly happy that we will have them together in this organisation continuing the growth path that we intend to execute. I have every blessed assurance that they will do extraordinary work within this environment,” the Tourism Minister stated.

Mr. Gooding-Edghill pointed out that the BTMI has done a “considerable amount of work, and there’s certainly a lot more work to be done”. He added that with the Board and management team in place, the organisation is poised to accomplish its objectives for the sector.

Ms. Franklin, whose term runs from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2027, said: “It obviously is my pleasure to join the team here at BTMI this morning. It is going to be an interesting journey; it is going to be a long journey, but as we grow together, we will build on the foundation that has been set from those who have been with us in the past. We will learn from their mistakes, and we will grow together…. Coming into this role, I think that it is important that collaboration is at the top for me, in terms of other stakeholders, both within the industry, other ministries, etcetera.

“We need to work closely together for the betterment of the country. Tourism touches the length and breadth of the country and I think is important that we collaborate across the board as far as possible because at the end of the day, it is about the economy of Barbados and for the people of Barbados that we are here serving, and we just need to remember that in everything that we do.”

Other areas of focus for the new CEO include a sustainable growth strategy; expanding and defending Barbados’ airlift and cruise capacity; and embracing technology in BTMI’s marketing strategies, while utilising solid research and data to make key decisions.

Ms. Carter, who spoke about her plans as COO, indicated that she will be providing support to the CEO, which entails proper succession planning, diversifying marketing strategies, and streamlining BTMI’s operations. 

“I’m very excited to be back in Barbados. It’s great to be in this position where I’ll be working very closely with all of the overseas markets…. We’ll also be looking at emerging markets, so that we can build out not just what we are traditionally used to, but looking at how we can tap into other areas of the world. So, my role here essentially is that of fully supporting the direction, the vision [and] the policies, which are coming through the office of the CEO,” Ms. Carter explained.  (PR/GIS)

Caption: Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, (left) and Chairman of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), Shelly Williams (right) pose with the BTMI’s new Chief Executive Officer, Andrea Franklin (second from right) and Chief Operations Officer, Cheryl Carter, following a press conference yesterday.