Recovery in the Barbados tourism industry has been gaining momentum with positive growth recorded for the first five consecutive months. For November, provisional statistics have shown a 15% growth in tourism arrivals å- making it one of the best months on record for tourism in Barbados.  According to figures from the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA), some 44,774 visitors were welcomed in Barbados in November, compared to 38, 858 in 2001, in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
Acknowledging the relatively strong performance, Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Noel Lynch lauded the cooperation between public and private sector partners in promoting Barbados as well as the workers in the industry for making tourism happen.  Results over the last half of 2002, he said, showed clearly that the national recovery plan, formulated in response to the global crisis in travel and tourism, was at work and producing results.
“For the last five months we have been seeing positive growth and I think December is going to be an even better month”, said the Minister, who also praised the small hotels of Barbados for their contribution to the turnaround.
That Barbados
has been seeing some very encouraging results in a still difficult and unpredictable global environment, speaks volumes for the proactive approach taken by the BTA and partners to drive business in the major markets.
According to BTA President Oliver Jordan, the market has been responding well to the Best of Barbados programme, as well as other initiatives created to drive business.
The United States market has been particularly encouraging, Mr. Jordan said, as it showed growth of around 33 per cent in November.  The British market, which was recording double digit declines earlier this year has continued to show signs of stabilising. Arrivals from Britain were down just three per cent for November.
The BTA President remains optimistic that the winter will be strong and said that the BTA was continuing to work with partners in all the markets with the objective of sustaining the momentum.
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