An influx of Canadian tourists is expected to arrive on the Caribbean island Barbados of launching a new seasonal direct route from Toronto this winter.
From January to September 2024, Barbados welcomed 63,228 Canadian overnight visitors, an increase of 8,970 compared to the same period in 2023, according to official data.
The growing interest among Canadian travelers in the island is attributed to the implementation of aggressive marketing campaigns that have positioned Barbados as a top choice for these North American tourists and the increase in flight connectivity.
Regarding the latter, Air Canada transported 4,036 passengers to the island in the first nine months of 2024, contributing to a 13.4% increase in Canadian visitor numbers.
These figures underscore the solid ties between the two nations and highlight the crucial role Canadian tourists play in the development of the island’s tourism industry.
Other important markets for the island are the United States and the United Kingdom.
Recently even data shows that Americans represent the top source market for Barbados. During the first half of 2024, US arrivals saw a remarkable 38% increase year-over-year, with a total of 136,105 visitors.
While Britain remains one of Barbados’ most important markets, the island saw a slight decline in visitors this year, with arrivals falling from 136,721 in the first half of 2023 to 136,105 in the same period of 2024.
Barbados is also seeing significant arrivals from other regions. So far this year, European countries such as Germany and France contributed more than 4,087 visitors.
Meanwhile, Caribbean countries like it Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana have attracted a similar number of tourists.
Central and South America, with Venezuela and Brazil at the top, also added more than 1,299 visitors to the total.
Returning to the topic of Canadian travelers, Air Canada now connects Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados with cities including Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Halifax, Victoria and New York.
Surprisingly, this fruitful relationship between the two countries is far from new. On December 3, Barbados celebrated 75 years of successful partnership with Air Canada, testifying to decades of friendship.
“We are celebrating a milestone that predates Barbados’ 58-year history as an independent nation and Barbados’ three-year history as a republic. This seven and a half decades of Air Canada flight service to Barbados is a testament to the enduring bond between our two countries, a relationship built on trust, cooperation and mutual respect.” said Toronto’s Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, during his intervention before top company executives and tourism leaders in both countries.
Barbados’ tourism sector in 2025 will “shine like a diamond”
Barbados tourism is expected to experience significant growth by 2025, driven by strategic initiatives such as the “We collect 2025” campaign, which aims to attract Barbadians from the diaspora back to the island.
The initiative, announced by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, aims to celebrate the country’s heritage and culture through unique events planned throughout the year.
In addition, the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) has announced efforts to further enhance the summer season by introducing events and attractions tailored to international travelers to position Rihanna’s home country as the most diverse and dynamic destination in the Caribbean.