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| Tourism Minister, Richard Sealy, speaking at yesterday’s BHTA Quarterly General Meeting at the Accra Beach Hotel. (C. Pitt/BGIS) |
Minister of Tourism, Richard Sealy, will head a delegation to Miami next month to meet with the major cruise lines to promote southern destinations as an attractive brand.
He outlined government’s plans to strengthen the sector yesterday while addressing the First Quarterly General Meeting of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association at the Accra Beach Hotel, Rockley, Christ Church, recently.
Mr. Sealy said officials from the Barbados Tourism Authority and the Barbados Port Inc will also be going on the trip as a single delegation to not only promote this venture, but also discuss other issues that "bedevil" the industry.
Mr. Sealy acknowledged that the island had lost some of its cruise market share as a result of the singular marketing approach of destinations which was unsuccessful at regaining the major cruise lines.
"No single destination is an itinerary and, therefore, there is a need for us to do some hardcore marketing of attractive packages for the cruise lines," he said
In light of this, the Tourism Minister disclosed that Barbados would be hosting the other cruise tourism players from the southern region who are interested in participating in the project.
Mr. Sealy said: "It is always good when you are meeting with partners that government and the private sector sit side-by-side to inspire confidence and promote meaningful discussion.?? I want to see this happen as soon as next month when we head off to Miami to meet with these players."