Chairman of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) Javon Griffith is urging the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) to rethink the timing of the Barbados Food and Rum Festival.
Traditionally hosted in October, one of the down periods on the tourism calendar, it was this year held from November 6 to 9. A quick search has November 5 to 8 as the dates for 2026, while last year, it was held on October 17 to 20.
“This festival has grown into a world-class celebration of our culinary excellence, our rum heritage and our creative talent, one that generates significant international attention and delivers tangible economic benefits to our tourism and cultural sectors,” Griffith said this morning as he addressed the BHTA’s 4th Quarterly General Meeting at Sandals Royalton.
“The Food and Rum Festival was designed to stimulate demand during one of the softest periods for accommodation arrivals, providing a vital boost to hotels, restaurants and tourism businesses at a time when occupancy levels have historically been at their lowest. For many of our members, large and small, its timing has played a critical role in driving room nights, visitor spend and employment stability ahead of the winter season.”
Griffith said keeping the festival in October would have greater economic impact deeper partnerships and participation from the sector as compared to November when occupancy was on the increase.
“We simply believe that maintaining its timing in October is essential to preserving the festival’s strategic intent and maximising its contribution to the tourism economy. A return to its proven placement will ensure even stronger alignment, greater industry mobilisation and a more meaningful uplift for the accommodation sector,” he added.
The Barbados Food Wine and Rum Festival was introduced in 2009, but wine was dropped from the title in 2016. It returned in 2022 after a two-year hiatus during the pandemic years and was named the Caribbean’s Best Culinary Festival in 2023 and 2024.
Proper research into who and why the date is important before laying blame.