BARBADOS WOWED over 300 Brazilian travel industry professionals and trade media representatives recently, when a team of public and private sector players partnered to conduct a road show in Sao Paulo.
The location was the festive restaurant, Capim Santo, Sao Paulo, which is just two blocks from Avenida Paulista, the most famous street in the entire country and the financial centre of Brazil.
The specially invited guests began arriving from 5 p.m. and immediately proceeded to interact with the companies exhibiting, including Barbadian tourism entities and Brazilian tour operators poised to sell travel packages to Barbados via their travel agent network.
In delivering the official welcome address, Barbados’ ambassador to Brazil’s capital, Brasilia, Yvette Goddard, emphasised the reciprocal benefits awaiting both destinations once the direct flights start on June 26 via GOL Intelligent Airlines.
“While we are focusing this evening on the tourism experience, I also invite you to recognise Barbados as a premier place to do business,” she said, adding that the presentations, entertainment and food combined was only but a sample of what they could experience in Barbados.
Remarks were also given by BTA vice-president for the Caribbean, South and Latin America, Walter Stokes, and representatives of GOL, who were out in full force to support the event. GOL also used the occasion to officially launch their non-stop service to Barbados from June 26.
The next day the road show travelled to Rio de Janeiro, the largest target market beyond the Sao Paulo gateway, where an identically structured event was staged. This event attracted more than 100 Brazilian industry players, all eager to absorb all they could about Barbados. (PR)
