The number of arrivals in July 2021 in Barbados shattered a new record; the winter season looks promising for the destination, after it was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The island of Barbados recorded more than 10,000 air passenger arrivals in July 2021, after being hit hard by the global pandemic that affected the number of arrivals on the island for many months, the Barbados Tourism Board in a statement.
For the first time since December 2020, the local tourism industry is rebounding. The latest statistics released by Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) point to a “major positive turning point” for the country, just ahead of the start of the 2021-2022 winter season.
During the period of July 2021, some 10,819 visitors visited Barbados. This total represents a significant increase of 6,745 visitors compared to the same period last year, July 2020.
The United States topped the list with a market share of 43.3%, while the United Kingdom (UK) contributed 34.4% of the activity with 3,722 arrivals for the period mentioned.
This increase came after Barbados was added to the UK’s green watch list. Barbados has been fortunate enough to be on this list for the second time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the same period, the number of arrivals from the Caribbean was 1,391 and 390 from Canada. This represents an increase in arrivals from both markets compared to the same period last year.
BTMI’s interim CEO Craig Hinds described the achievement as “one more step in the right direction” after tireless efforts, on and off stage, to rebuild the island’s tourism product.
He said that “Barbados has been and continues to weather this COVID-19 storm, but although it has been a difficult time for the industry, the BTMI is so happy to see these indicators of positive growth. This growth is the direct result of the excellent sales and marketing efforts in our overseas markets through campaigns such as our “Sweet Summer Savings” promotion, as well as the maintenance of strong partnerships with our airline partners, cruise and tourist ”.