5 Simple Steps To Improve Tourism In Barbados
I keep reading in the local newspapers about how the tourism minister isn’t too worried about cutting back on flights from certain airlines in the UK and USA, I however think that he must be privately worried about the posiblity of a big decline in tourist numbers over the next few years.
The world is in a recession and believe me the UK is going to be hurting real bad in the not too distant future, possible even worse than things are in the USA at the present time. When I first moved here at the end of June, the exchange rate was $4.00 BDS to £1.00 GBP; it is now around $2.80 BDS. If that doesn’t have a massive effect on the amount of UK tourists coming to Barbados on holiday or buying properties, I’m not a handsome looking guy!
The British and Americans are the two biggest visitors to Barbados and if both countries are suffering, it is bound to have a big effect on how people spend their money. It won’t just affect Barbados it will obviously affect every country that is a major tourist destination.
I keep hearing that Barbados is a top end tourist destination and to certain extent it is. But it is also has huge amounts of people coming to the island that aren’t rich; you get plenty of normal hard working people. You will find thousands of them staying in the hotels along the Gap and around that area, hotels full of them. I could just imagine how big an effect it would have on the moderately priced hotels, the many bars and restaurants if the lower end of the market took a big hit.
I also keep reading about all the efforts that are being made to attract more tourists to visit Barbados and that is the way to go. I wonder if they are targeting places other than in USA and Canada. Are the tourism authorities making efforts in emerging countries, which are starting to have real spending power such as Russia, China and some of the Middle Eastern countries. Having worked in tourism for a period of time I know the importance and the huge growth in tourists from these regions. Sometimes you need to look way outside of the box for the way forward.
Before I moved to Barbados I had been here numerous times on holiday and was well aware of how beautiful an island it was, that it had some of the best beaches in the world, amazing food and friendly people, even though you have to wonder who trains some of the people in the service and tourism sector, some of them haven’t got a clue. You need to take a look at the USA and Canada and you will see a massive difference as to how people treat tourists and customers!
The Government spends millions of dollars every years tying to attract tourists to come to Barbados, I personally feel that more should be done to make them want to come back again and go home and recommend the island to all their friends, family and rave about it online.
I came up with 5 Simple Steps To Improve Things for Tourism
1. Do something about the state of the roads, you want tourists to come here and spend lots of money hiring cars. The potholes that you find on virtually every single road are real scary and since I got here they seem to be getting worse. It doesn’t give a good impression of a well-run country does it?
2. Erect proper sign posts to all the tourist attractions and beaches; there is nothing worse than driving around aimlessly trying to find somewhere. Do you think tourists find it fun to drive around lost trying to find places?
3. Encourage and give incentives for people to start quality and innovative tourist attractions, I personally feel there is a severe lack of quality places to go and visit in Barbados. I read the other day that there are more tourist attractions in Jamaica than the whole of the Caribbean put together! Don’t get me wrong there are some amazing places to visit in Barbados, such as Harrisons Cave and the various historic sites, the many beaches, however there needs to be more. I heard there is a 10 pin bowling alley in the pipe line, that is gong to make so much money, it will be rammed at night with people looking for something different and fun to do.
4. Improve customer service within the tourism sector all over the island, in the hotels, bars, restaurants, tourist attractions etc, in fact everywhere that serves or deals with people. I have heard numerous people complain about the attitudes and bad manners of people working in the service industry in Barbados. It isn’t a problem that is unique to Barbados, for I see the same thing happening to a certain extent back home in Scotland and throughout the UK. The Americans and Canadians are masters of customer service; they really know the importance of properly training staff and installing the correct attitude into their staff.
5. Do something about the litter problem in Barbados, especially on the beaches, rid the island of all those rusty cars that are all over the place and do something about all those overgrown building plots, that are a haven for bugs and vermin.
I feel if the above 5 simple steps could take Barbados on to a whole new level as a tourist destination and the island will reap the benefits. If David Thomson PM is reading this, it isn’t a failure to listen to the common man and the words of wisdom that he has to offer. I feel my simple steps will also benefit not only the tourists but the good citizens of Barbados as well.
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You should write to your MP and the PM with your list; you’re spot on about most. Roads, litter, signs and customer service are essential NOW. I’m not sure about the tourist destinations. There is plenty to do if you seek them all out (having driven there past the poor signs and seen the litter and then get confronted by poor customer service) but a ten pin bowling alley will have only some appeal. Better a proper water park but not at Graeme Hall!
I think the PM probably already reads my blog and if he doesn’t he should! I think all people on Barbados should be doing a lot more complaining about the roads, because they cost drivrs plenty of money in car repairs! A water park would certainly be good for the island and I agree Grame hall isn’t the right place for it!
I think David Thomosn is going to be one of the best PM’s Barbados has ever had, and I know he has the vision to deal with all the issues I have outlined, it will just take time and a lot of effort.
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Oh, you are sooooo right, I think apart from the first 3, customer service is in desperate need of improvement, I cannot believe how difficult it is to even get staff to say ‘hello’ when a customer comes in to a shop/cafe/bar/hotel etc and the garbage problem, God help us, no one seems to give a damn, I noticed a skip has been put among trees on the road above Content in St Thomas, where a huge amount of garbage has been dumped, how sad that the landowner has had to do this.
I cannot understand the mentality of people that struggle to load garbage, fridges, stoves etc into a vehicle, drive for miles, dump it in a scenic spot and drive all the way home when all they have to do is phone Sanitation & they’ll come & collect from you!!
I totally agree with all of your suggestions. I have just moved here from the UK because my parent’s are Barbadian and I was sick of the money-grabbing lifestyle in London (not to mention the cold) but before I moved I used to come here lots on holiday to visit family and after a while I struggled to find things to do.
A water park may not be the answer but the fact that the govt seems to be allowing Graeme Hall to close is not only a disservice to tourists but to future Barbadians.
The litter problem is horrendous and indicative of how most people here seem to view the environment. ‘Not my problem’
Also, the attitude of some of the people working in shops etc is poor to say the least. No-one likes to be left standing around while a cashier finishes a conversation with a friend. Customer service just does not exist in some places.
Repeat visitors are so impt and we have to give them more of a reason to come back than the weather and the beaches which they can probably get nearer to home and cheaper elsewhere anyway.
Haven’t been to the “Rock” in a year!But I hear ya….although have just visited StLucia,you think b’dos has an attitude problem!More attitude adjustment & garbage & road problem here!!!So why not be the “BEST” Island & show the world!So much potential,with the educational level of most people,the Zagat rated restaurants,the ideally situated resorts,beautiful beaches..I could go on & on…I love Barbados & have visited more than 40 times in 20+ years,wish I could leave the northern climes & live there all year long!BUT make it a better place & the tourists will come,fix those roads,clean those streets,put on a HAPPY face…don’t sit on your laurels,be responsible about changing your country’s destiny!Everyone has the capabilities..DO IT!
I am in complete agreement with your 5 point plan.
Particularly, the attitude displayed by some in the service sector. I visit barbados every year, and whether I am in a Bank or a shop I am usually served by some sullen person who makes no eye contact with me let alone acknowledges that they really want to assist me. This type of behaviour really lets the country down. After all I am spending my hard eaarned pounds which helps to building the Bajan economy so the least I should expect is a ‘Goodmorning/afternoon how can I help you today’, and a thank you at the end of the transaction.
Couldn’t agree more, in a number of places social attitudes need improvement.Being married to a managerial representive at a Swiss national tourist office I get a first-hand knowledge of the comments of Swiss people visiting our region.
Without surrendering moral or worth, there’s a simple logo to show and speak.
IT’S NICE TO BE IMPORTANT, BUT IT’S MORE IMPORTANT TO BE NICE–to one and all.
I cant agree more about the rubbish strewn about in Barbados, often just steps away from a bin. Peop1e out having a beer at night by the beach in Bathsheba enjoy chucking empty bott1es onto the rocks then, the 1oca1 kids can cut their feet on the beach after schoo1. Any beauty spot frequented by 1oca1s on weekends is knee deep in p1astic cut1ery and po1ystyrene containers. It makes my b1ood boi1. Is it a kind of arrogance or just 1azyness? I’ve begged friends not to chuck chefette containers out the car window and they just think I’m mad. I’ve taken p1astic bags to the beach and c1ean up around where I’m sitting so I don’t have to see the rubbish and used nappies YUK on1y to be sco1ded by friends that it “doesnt 1ook right”! There is something going on here about amour propre or de1usions of grandeur and I wonder if there is a 1ink between that and the high handed rudeness you get from staff in Cave Shepard and other expensive shops, as if to say “just because you can spend $1000.00 on toys doesnt make you any better than me” or “picking up my rubbish after myse1f is beneath me”. I’ve heard peop1e argue that someone is paid to c1ean up so why shou1d I do it?
i agree!! but you should put training in the service industry at the top of your list.if only some of the bajans knew what a treasure of an island they live on ! someone should teach them about burning toxic garbage(wire for copper)on the beach! in stroud bay aka duppys!!one of the best views on the island and they go there to burn the toxic mess and the gov/police do nothing??!!!
I WILL NOT RETURN BECAUSE OF IT !
At the top of my list should be to start paying everyone that works in the service industry in Barbados a fair and decent wage, because most of them are on a pittance. I now see the light as to why so many of them are the way that they are, when dealing with the public….
I agree with your comment about the burning of toxic garbage that is a disgrace, but the prospects of the gov/police caring about it or doing anything about it are highly unlikely, they don’t seem to have much of a clue….
I love the advice you give on tenpin bowling,keep up the great work!If you have a chance stop by my new bowling blog for some extra tips.