A Rihanna-inspired store on Broad Street, late-night shopping, themed City tours with guides, an annual cultural and entertainment programme, and a new Bridgetown Foundation are among recommendations intended to give Bridgetown the major boost it needs.
While making it clear that institutional and infrastructural enhancements were also a must, Cecil Miller and Charles C. Holder, of Tourism Consultants International Inc. concluded that “culture and entertainment hold the greatest potential for attracting persons to The City”.
They made several proposals in a Final Integrated Urban Economic Revitalisation Strategy And Business Plan presented to the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).
In their 56-page report, Miller and Holder also said that “the designation of Bridgetown and its Garrison as a UNESCO World Heritage site should…serve as the catalyst and primary reason for locals and tourists to visit Bridgetown in the future”.
They said Government should “formally designate the BCCI as the executing agency for the revitalisation of Bridgetown in the short to medium-term and empower it with the authority and resources to undertake this task”.
Also, they recommended that the Revitalisation of Bridgetown Initiative (TRBI), which is currently being executed by the BCCI “should be strengthened by focusing on the implementation of…key priority proposals/activities in the short to medium term”.
It is proposed that BCCI facilitate talks with the public and private sectors and Inter-American Development Bank to “establish a public-private partnership structure to implement the envisaged Bridgetown revitalisation plan, network with public and private sector entities to maintain standards in Bridgetown; coordinate management and maintenance of public spaces and market and promote The City”.
The Bridgetown Foundation would also be formed as a registered non-profit entity “to undertake the oversight, communication and coordination of public and private sector activities in The City”.
This entity would administer a proposed Historic Bridgetown and Garrison Trust Fund. (SC)
