BARBADOS — Despite a dim economic forecast, tourism figures remain shining bright, the Barbados Nation reported on May 10, the Barbados Nation reported on May 10.
Chairman of the Barbados Tourism and Marketing Inc., Alvin Jemmott, reported the island was still experiencing record arrivals.
“Barbados enjoyed a record five per cent increase in stay-over arrivals over last year, an all-time high for the destination. Over the course of 2017 Grantley Adams International Airport welcomed more than 633 000 visitors, 31 000 more than the previous year. The Bridgetown Port also recorded tremendous growth, recording 818 cruise arrivals, an increase from the 725 of the previous year.
“So far this year, the island has received some 132 long stay visitors whereas we welcomed another 200 000 cruise ship visitors to the island; so Barbados continues to do very well,” he said.
Jemmott was speaking on Wednesday at the cocktail reception and official opening of the 13th annual Connect Barbados, held in the refurbished Nidhe Israel Synagogue in The City.
He said 70 tour operators had already registered for the programme this year, adding he was particularly pleased about the European contingent.
