Barbados is looking forward to cooperation in the areas of tourism development and diplomatic training with the Austrian government.
During a recent courtesy call with Austrian Ambassador, Gerhard Doujak, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Dr. The Most Honourable Jerome Walcott, told the Ambassador that it would be useful to find out more about that country’s best practices as it relates to tourism.
Currently, Austria only accounts for about two per cent of travel by Europeans to Barbados, but still remains a relatively important source market with scope for additional expansion.
Also discussed was the Austrian government’s offer of training for CARICOM Member States. Mr. Doujak extended an invitation to Barbados to register for the virtual course, Executive Training Programme in European and International Affairs for Public Officials and Junior Diplomats from the Caribbean, beginning in October.
The training, he noted, is being offered through the Vienna School of International Studies. It targets public officials working in regional Ministries of Foreign Affairs. An officer from the Ministry is set to take part in this year’s training.
The two officials also discussed cultural cooperation and the possibility of an attachment or exchange programme for members of the Barbados National Youth Orchestra to Vienna, given Austria’s historic and renown capacity in classical music.
Barbados and Austria established diplomatic relations on November 27,1967.