Staff Writer

#Barbados, August 1, 2023 – Barbados has made moves to better facilitate regional travel with the reduction of its airport service charge from US$35 to US$20.

Ian Gooding-Edghill, Minister of Tourism highlighted that the reduction which will be for six months, ending on December 14, 2023, was done because of the high cost of inter-regional travel, in efforts to stimulate the local market.

“So, we’ve taken that decision. We recognize that the CARICOM market is price sensitive [and] we recognize if we are going to drive traffic to the destination in the absence of having what was LIAT in its former form, then we had to take the necessary steps to make the adjustments,” he said.

Also, as he pointed out, this was done to also bring more arrivals into Barbados.

“We took this step because we felt confident that a reduction in the airport service charge will stimulate travel within the region and also ensure that we get more arrivals from the Caribbean into Barbados,” he further stated

Additionally, there has been collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism and airlines such as Air Antilles and InterCaribbean in efforts to increase the number of weekly flights to the island, and Edghill expressed that the results are good as arrivals have indeed increased.

“I am pleased to say, based on the load factors coming out of both regional carriers, that we are seeing an increase in the number of arrivals from within CARICOM.”

Staff Writer

#Barbados, June 12, 2023 – Talks are in motion for the establishment of an air bridge between Barbados and Ghana, and as expressed by a Government statement, there is a study commitment from the two countries to bring it into reality.

The statement pointed out that Ibrahim Awal, Ghana Minister of Tourism pledged to do his best to see how he can speed up the talks between Ian Gooding- Edghill, Barbados Minister of Tourism and International Transport.

Also, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley expressed the ease with which the ideas can be made a reality. She said, “It cannot be that difficult for us to find 600 to 800 people every month who want to make the journey on your side and on my side….  On our side, I know that we have been able to awaken the interest of Barbadians with respect to wanting to find out more about Africa.”

It is clear that both countries are in full support and commitment to see into existence the air bridge as displayed at a recent meeting between Awal and his delegation and Barbados at Ilaro Court.

The initiative comes following a long standing relationship between Ghana and Barbados since 1994 when they established diplomatic ties.

Additionally, at the meeting, shedding light on previous actions between the two countries,  Mottley made it known that she has  deep appreciation for the provision of pharmaceuticals on the African Medical Supplies Platform to aid CARICOM countries with accessing therapeutics, equipment and vaccines at low cost during the COVID-19 pandemic, a huge gesture for the region during a time of need.

Considering this, she pointed to the opportunities that can be born from deeper, and stronger collaboration between the nations.

“And that is the benefit of what we bring together and there are so many functional opportunities that only require us sitting down together.”

In addition, Mottley and Awal talked about setting up an Afreximbank headquarters in Barbados; the Bridgetown Initiative; future investment opportunities, and the upcoming COP 28 summit in Dubai.