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Minister of Family, Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley, accepting the 45 airline tickets from Redjet’s Chief Executive Officer, Ian Burns. (G. Brewster/BGIS)

Government has received an Iindependence gift of 45 airline tickets from RedJet.

RedJet’s Chief Executive Officer, Ian Burns, today presented Minister of Family, Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley, with the tickets at the Warrens Office Complex.

In giving the background to the donation, Mr. Burns said Redjet felt it should contribute to Barbados’ 45th anniversary of independence which will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 30. He suggested that the tickets should be given to those involved in sports and culture in an effort to further develop those areas between Barbados and the four destinations the airline travels to.

He pointed out that almost from Redjet’s inception it had facilitated travel of sporting teams and social groups from their destination.

The CEO continued: "The opportunities and benefits for a local team competing against their regional counterparts are immeasurable and the exposure augurs well for their development. Hopefully, we will see these young sportsmen and women of Barbados fulfill their potential and their dreams to compete on a regional basis and reach the highest levels internationally and to bring pride and honour to Barbados."

Mr. Burns added that during Redjet’s recent inaugural flight to Jamaica, some local entertainers spoke of the possibilities low fares would bring to their business and its development.

Mr. Lashley disclosed that, in the first instance, the hard working parish ambassadors and their attendants would be given some of the tickets, while the remainder would be applied to useful independence activities here.

In thanking Mr. Burns for the tickets, he said his Ministry had embraced the concept of low-cost travel across the Caribbean, stating that as a result of the reasonable prices, several people from the region came to the Crop Over Festival.

He also proffered the view that more people would come here to be a part of this island’s rich heritage. "Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison, which was recently inscribed by UNESCO, is a site we want to unfold to the entire world, in the first instance to our neighbours and friends in Caribbean… There is a need for more rapid and smooth movement of people across the Caribbean and it is essential that we make travel affordable to the Caribbean family …," Mr. Lashley suggested.

sharon.austingill-moore@barbados.gov.bb

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