WELCOME TO WTM 2010 FROM PETRA ROACH

WELCOME TO WTM 2010 FROM PETRA ROACH

Barbados Tourism Authority 8 November 2010

Petra Roach Vice President Marketing and Sales Europe Barbados Tourism Authority welcomes the industry to World Travel Market 2010

On behalf of the BTA and the entire Barbados delegation, it gives me the greatest of pleasure to welcome you to WTM 2010 and four days of constructive meetings and exciting discussions.

We anticipated 2010 would be an uncertain year and there was no real consensus on when the global economy would improve. Threats of a double dip recession abounded and with the new coalition government on board, severe public sector cuts threats encouraged cautious spending amongst consumers.

People were and are still travelling but the transparency of the internet means that they are seeking out the best deals and looking not necessarily for the cheapest deal but certainly for the best value proposition.

Yet, after a somewhat slow start to the year, the second and third quarter saw us showing growth in our arrival numbers that we expect to continue through the rest of the year.

But we intend to continue fighting in spite of the difficult market - not only maintain market share but to also grow it. 2011 sees BA increase the number of flights into Barbados from 10 to 12 and we are also pleased to welcome back the Virgin Gatwick configured aircraft which alone gives us an increase of approximately 500 seats per week. The focus for 2011 will be on filling that extra capacity.

2011 has been dedicated as Year of History and Culture, as we have a story which is fun and fascinating to trace as part of a Barbados holiday - a Trafalgar Square (now renamed Heroes Square)with its own statue of Lord Nelson, erected in 1813 and which predates the one in London, the oldest Jewish synagogue in the western hemisphere, two of the only three remaining Jacobean mansions in the western Hemisphere - St. Nicholas Abbey and Drax Hall, and the birthplace of rum - Mount Gay distillery.

But above all, the warmth, charm and friendliness of the Bajan people is cited as the main reason why visitors return again and again - and why Barbados truly becomes their second home. So please come and enjoy a glass of our famous rum punch with us at Stand CA300 and meet the people who from the tapestry of the Barbados way of life.

On behalf of the Barbados delegation, we wish you a successful WTM 2010.

 

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