Canadians have had a long love affair with Barbados. Air Canada has served BGI for over 75 years, and Canucks love the climate, the safety, and the kindness of the locals.
It’s hard to imagine another island packing so many experiences into so little space; Barbados is less than a tenth the size of PEI. Home to rum and the birthplace of Rihanna, the island’s 300 years of British rule are evident everywhere: driving on the left, a passion for cricket, and the stately St. Michael’s Anglican Cathedral. It also remains a top destination for UK sunseekers.
There are so many ways to sell Barbados. Here are five of the easiest based on my recent visit.
1. For the luxury. For clients seeking a high-end island escape, you can recommend BGI with confidence. As one Air Canada flight attendant put it, “Barbados passengers are a different calibre.”
The island delivers with elegant hotels (my next article will share insights into four of the island’s most beloved hotels), top-tier dining, and unique experiences to match.
Tour a gracious historic home, such as St. Nicholas Abbey. Watch a polo match. And for upscale shopping, duty-free outlets are stocked with high-end clothing, accessories, and jewelry.
Good to know: Duty-free shops across the island show two prices–one for locals and a lower duty-free cost for visitors. Clients must have photo ID with them to get the visitor price.
2. For all the ways to sun. Barbados boasts an amazing 80 beaches, all public. They range from the wide, white sands of Carlisle Bay in Bridgetown to the narrower pretty beaches of the elegant west coast, and the wilder stretches on the east coast which is great for surfers. With an average temperature of 27 °C, the island's dry season runs December to May, and wet is June to November.
For a fun day outing, build into client itineraries a catamaran day cruise such as with Cool Runnings. They'll enjoy a beautiful sail up the west coast with snorkelling stops, a buffet lunch and (very) open bar.
Good to know: Barbados dollars (BBD) are fixed at US$0.50. Everything's priced in BBD, not USD. Many tourists assume the pricing is in USD and overpay.
3) For the sports. The options include just about everything! On the water, clients can enjoy top-notch snorkelling and scuba diving, surfing, and deep-sea fishing for wahoo, tuna, marlin, and more. Ashore, there are five golf courses, including three world-class venues. And–another nod to British heritage–a lively equestrian scene, from racing at Garrison Savannah to the Barbados Polo Club.
4) For the authenticity. A huge buzzword in tourism today, many Canadians are finding that the most rewarding holidays come from making genuine connections with local culture. And Barbados is perfect for that. Many tourists told me how much they appreciate the safety of the island. “You just leave your hotel and you are, well, OK!” one American marvelled.
Good to know: The word Bajan (“Bay-jan”) is commonly used for Barbadians or as an adjective–“The best Bajan food!”
Visitors can explore the island on local buses (BBD$3.50, Barbados cash only ). Hang out with Bajans at any of 15 branches of Chefette, the island's uniquely Barbadian fast-food chain. Dance, dine, drink, shop, laugh, and mingle with the locals at the Friday night street party in the fishing village of Oistins.
For a taste of how much Bajans love their food, suggest a Lickrish Food Tour, a walking tour of some of the capital Bridgetown’s most popular markets and eateries. Entertaining and informative, and thanks to generous samples, very filling, it’s a great way to spend a few hours. “I do a good job of stretching waistlines!” our guide, Paulette De Gannes, joked.
Good to know: Barbados has some of the purest tap water in the world. No need to drink bottled water.
Tourists can take in a game of cricket, a true Bajan passion. If the rules confuse them, any local will happily explain. Maybe not as sporty but a great way to connect with the locals, visitors can join Bajans at Kennel Club dog shows, or test their card-playing skills with the Barbados Bridge League.
5) For the nature. If your clients can’t get enough of historic gardens in the UK or Europe, I bet they would love Barbados. Andromeda Gardens has an amazing 600 plant species on its six acres. The National Trust has a calendar of open homes and gardens, while the Barbados Wildlife Reserve is home to monkeys, deer, and peacocks.
Another side of Mother Nature can be experienced underground at Harrison’s Cave, one the island’s biggest attractions. A series of lit underground caverns explored by guided trolley ride, it’s a beautiful, surreal experience.
Good to know: Packages to Barbados are offered by both Air Canada Vacations and WestJet Vacations.
Find out more about the charms of Barbados at the Barbados Tourism Marketing site.
