Management???? of???? the Harrison’s Cave has reported a "bumper" summer season.
According to its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Joe-Ann Grant, this year, the popular tourist attraction recorded the highest level of response since 2004, especially given the fact that renovations have been ongoing since 2006.
??"It was a very good summer.?? A lot of people supported us, we had a lot of locals coming through, camps, groups and even schools," she explained.
Noting that they still had some "tweaking to do," and were working on diversifying the product,?? Mrs. Grant?? said they were also hoping to?? launch an exciting new initiative?? called a Wild Cave Tour , by year-end.
In addition to the usual daytime tours, she said they also hosted a series of limes over the Crop Over period, as well as some night-time walk-in tours, which were also very well received.
"Mostly locals patronised the night events, and the walk-in tours were completely sold out. We just could not fulfil the demand for them.?? It was a real eye- opener for us to see the demand for such a product," the CEO observed.
With Harrison’s Cave being one of the few in the world to offer tram tours, Mrs. Grant said what they proposed for the summer was for tour guides to provide the tour, while walking through the caves.?? Taking just over an hour, a little longer than the regular tours, the walk-ins involved smaller groups in the absence of public address systems.
"Based on response it was fantastic! We had kids doing it, we had more mature persons, and we even had one or two pregnant ladies. People just wanted the experience of the walk-in tour," Mrs. Grant explained, noting that these allowed for moderate walking and the opportunity for more interpretation.
??"We are definitely hoping to have a few more events coming up this year – at least three more night events, and we want to be able to also deliver those walk-in tours as well," she underlined.
With regard to the overall feedback received since the Cave re-opened earlier this year, the CEO said patrons were pleasantly surprised when they saw the renovated facilities, particularly the cliff top site, which they did not know existed. In???? fact, she noted that most guests felt that the product was under-priced, given the extent of the renovations.
??"People generally say that the Cave provides excellent value for money… especially when they see the facilities and recognise the level of investment that’s been put in," Mrs. Grant pointed out.????cgaskin@barbados.gov.bb