What’s new Barbados 60
SECONDS WITH...
ALI NICHOLLS business development manager, British Airways
Elcock will make more use of celebrities, such as Gary Rhodes and Rhianna, as well as celebrating Bajan culture
now huge ambassadors for Barbados. It didn’t just have an impact in the UK market; we had a lot of extra visitors from Trinidad too. We’re looking to support the event annually now – we should make it bigger, as it has huge potential.
How are you supporting your UK market? We know that the UK is going through a difficult time. We are going to focus even more on it, put more resource behind it. We need to increase our spending and focus our advertising. The UK has the highest retention level of any
with balconies. There is also complimentary wireless internet throughout the property.
One of the Caribbean region’s top chefs is now at Bougainvillea Beach Resort. Award-winning John Hazzard has styled Lanterns as Caribbean cuisine, while Waters’ Edge now offers Italian cooking. The resort offers 138 self-catering studios and apartments, and is located in Christ Church.
market for us, but we need the next generation to identify with this.
What are your growth areas? We are working on our cruise-and-stay programme. We are creating a sports committee and an events committee too – we shall concentrate on them to support the slower season. The Legends tournament fits nicely into that strategy.
Will you continue to promote Barbados as a gourmet destination? Yes – we are aiming to make Barbados the epicurean centre of the Caribbean region, and we want to really own that space, with Restaurant Week as the anchor. Our Food & Wine and Rum weekend is already successful with the north American market, however we need to make it attractive for visitors coming from the UK and Europe too. We want to make Restaurant
Week the most brilliant time to be in Barbados – we want chefs like Gary Rhodes here in that week.
DAVID RICE, BTA PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE, ADDRESSED AGENTS AT THE MARKETPLACE
“We understand that you have customers coming into your office asking which country to go to – why choose Barbados? Barbados is unique. Take Oistins – I can’t imagine a place, where people are dancing as if no one’s watching, with no separation between visitor and resident, anywhere else. “We know we have to work hard in terms of hospitality. We have to
ensure that every Barbadian provides you with the level of service that makes you feel welcome. Share the experiences with us when your clients come home; tell us the truth, do not filter it. If there’s one thing we do well, it’s that we listen. This is a country rich in people and it’s proud, but it is not stubborn.”
published in association with Barbados Tourism Authority 5
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR BA TO SPONSOR THE GIMME 5 TRIP EACH YEAR? Gimme 5 is a fantastic way for us to show our appreciation for agents who book Barbados. It enables the agents to experience first-hand what makes Barbados so special, and therefore be more confident in selling the destination and also the BA flights to get their clients there.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST ABOUT BARBADOS? I do have a soft spot for Barbados, and got married there some years ago. A catamaran cruise around the island is a great experience and a must for all visitors. I also love the vast choice of restaurants, especially in First Street in Holetown.
WHAT SCHEDULE DO YOU FLY TO BARBADOS? We will operate 12 flights per week in the winters of 2011 and 2012, and daily flights in summer 2012.
WHICH AIRCRAFT DO YOU FLY, AND IS THERE ANY- THING NEW ONBOARD? We fly Boeing 777 aircraft. At the end of October, we introduced an enhanced service for World Traveller Plus passengers: they are now offered a pre-meal hot towel service and are given a choice of main courses from the Club World menu.
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