This island???s Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Sealy, is reporting successful meetings at the recently-concluded World Travel Market (WTM).
Speaking from the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.???s (BTMI) stand at London???s Excel Exhibition Centre, in the United Kingdom (UK), he stated: ???We are proud to support our tourism stakeholders at this important platform, to connect with our most valued trade partners.
“We have continued to use the WTM to build on existing relationships and forge new ones, to benefit our visitor economy. I am really pleased to have had such overwhelming support at this important event, with over 40 Barbadian partners joining us at the stand.???
The Tourism Minister described the WTM as the signature trade event that provided the ideal forum for solid business discussions and negotiating contracts for 2015 and beyond.
He said: ???The feedback from our trade partners has been extremely positive, with most of the operators reporting strong growth for 2015 and excitement about the range of events that will be taking place in Barbados.???
Also attending the forum was the BTMI???s Chairman, Alvin Jemmott, who reported successful meetings over the past three days with important industry partners, such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, as well as new partners in Europe.?????This has been a very successful show for Barbados, and we look forward to seeing these negotiations bear fruit in 2015,??? he added.
Meanwhile, the BTMI???s new CEO, William Griffith, expressed his views on the state of the European market and noted: ???We are pleased to say that the UK and Europe are gradually emerging from recession, with arrivals from the UK to Barbados up by seven per cent for this year.
“These signs of consumer confidence are particularly important for our prospects for growth in 2015. The newly-formed BTMI will work swiftly and efficiently, to identify, negotiate and share opportunities on behalf of our stakeholders.???
Other officials who attended the WTM included the BTMI???s Director in the UK, Cheryl Carter; newly-appointed Director USA, Petra Roach; President of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA), Sunil Chatrani; and the BHTA???s Chief Executive Officer, Susan Springer.
The World Travel Market is the leading global travel industry event and attracts 50,000 trade visitors. The exhibition, which began in 1980, provides the forum to meet with trade partners and the media; negotiate existing and new partnerships; and discuss current trends, challenges and opportunities in the market place.
julie.carrington@barbados.gov.bb