BARBADOS & BRITISH AIRWAYS CELEBRATING 65 YEARS


60 SECONDS WITH…


Kyle Gittens, business development officer, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc


How are UK arrivals doing in 2019? The UK is the primary market for Barbados, accounting for 36% of arrivals. Between January and May 2019, Barbados attracted 116,768 long-stay visitors from the UK, representing an increase of 9.6%, or some 10,245 additional visitors when compared to the same period in 2018.


“The first one-stop flight paved the way for 65 years of close ties between the carrier and island”


The airline’s close ties with Barbados were highlighted when the airliner that flew the Queen was settled permanently at Grantley Adams International airport. Subsonic flights to Barbados were still hugely popular, and by 2000 daily services were available from Gatwick, increasing to 10 flights a week by 2009. Alongside the 65th anniversary of the first


LEFT: Concorde made its Barbadian debut in 1977


ABOVE: Travellers have been exploring Barbados since 1954 with British Airways and its predecessors


one-stop flight from London to Barbados, this year will also see BA celebrate its centenary. On 25 August 1919, its forerunner company, Aircraft Transport and Travel Limited, launched the world’s first daily international scheduled air service, carrying just one passenger between London and Paris. A century later, BA flies to more than 200 destinations, including 12 flights a week from Gatwick to Barbados. Flying to paradise has never been easier.


What are your tips for making the most of a Barbados holiday? Do your research and create a bucket list of experiences for your client to enjoy on the island. Make sure they keep a map handy, rent a vehicle to explore, take a guided tour and enjoy one of Barbados’s land- and sea- based excursions. I also recommend visitors eat locally (lickrishfoodtours.com) and save big at a number of Barbados restaurants (re-discover.com).


What advice can you give to agents hoping to boost Barbados sales? I recommended travel agents subscribe to the monthly Barbados newsletter and build a personal relationship with the business development officer assigned to their region. They’re also encouraged to register with the Barbados Elite Club (barbadoseliteclub.com), where they can benefit from destination training and earn rewards for bookings.


Do you offer any agent training in partnership with British Airways? Our training with BA is essentially carried out during our roadshows and on fams such as the 65th anniversary trip. Stay tuned for more training opportunities in the future.


JULY 2019 BARBADOS & BRITISH AIRWAYS


5


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20