Barbados is making waves within the Gulf. Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) introduced a robust 31 p.c leap in customer arrivals from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) area in 2024, as extra travellers from the Center East look to the Caribbean for genuine, luxurious getaways.
Main the surge was the United Arab Emirates, with a 30 p.c enhance in arrivals, carefully adopted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which posted a 36 p.c rise. Oman additionally stood out with an attention-grabbing 104 p.c spike in guests to the island in comparison with the earlier yr.
The upswing displays a rising urge for food amongst GCC residents for long-haul, high-end leisure journey to culturally wealthy locations. Barbados’ pristine seashores, dynamic culinary scene, and vary of family-friendly and wellness experiences are clearly hanging a chord—particularly with the addition of luxurious, family-oriented all-inclusive resorts which might be proving standard with Center Jap households.
“We’re extremely proud to see Barbados hanging a chord with discerning travellers from the GCC who search authenticity, luxurious and enriching experiences,” stated BTMI CEO Andrea Franklin. She added that the sturdy numbers bolster Barbados’ dedication to investing within the area and rising its world tourism presence. Franklin additionally pointed to the appointment of Kyle Gittens as BTMI’s new Director of Rising Markets as a part of their technique to construct on this momentum.
“The GCC continues to indicate sturdy potential as an rising supply market,” Gittens stated. “Travellers from this area are searching for distinctive, significant experiences, and Barbados delivers on that promise—from immersive island tradition to unmatched hospitality.”
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BTMI’s success has been fueled by a tailor-made advertising strategy, together with media campaigns, partnerships with journey commerce organizations, and vacation spot promotions that talk on to the tastes of GCC travellers. Their collaboration with dnata Illustration Providers has additionally helped amplify Barbados’ model throughout the area.
As Barbados continues to diversify its customer base, the GCC market is shaping as much as be a key piece of the island’s long-term tourism development technique.