Barbados was named “Destination of the Year: African Diaspora” at the 2025 Balearica (Africa) Tourism Awards, recognising the island’s engagement with the African travel market.
Kyle Gittens, Director of Emerging Markets at Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), said: “This prestigious award supports our ongoing efforts to position Barbados as the destination of choice amongst the African travel market, celebrating our rich cultural and heritage connections.”
“We remain committed to strengthening relationships across this emerging source market and welcoming many visitors to the beautiful island,” he added.
The award was presented on November 2 at the Hilton London, Canary Wharf, in the United Kingdom.
It acknowledges Barbados’ historical ties to Africa and the island’s initiatives to promote culture and heritage. Winners received the golden Balearica Statuette, named after the red-crowned crane, a symbol historically associated with immortality in ancient Egyptian culture.
The ceremony preceded the 2025 Grow, Unite, Build Africa (GUBA) Awards, held in Barbados for the first time under the theme “Reclaiming Our Atlantic Destiny: Build. Connect. Renew.”
His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, King of Ashanti, visited the island and delivered a lecture at the University of the West Indies. This was the first visit by the occupant of the Golden Stool to the Caribbean.
The events coincided with a chartered SmartWings flight from Ghana to Barbados, representing direct travel between the two regions.
Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley said she is confident the island is getting closer to attaining direct airlift between the continent and the island.
The award, the GUBA event, and the royal visit demonstrate Barbados’ engagement with African communities and its position in transatlantic cultural and tourism exchanges. (PR)
