BARBADOS’ tourism product will again benefit from an annual boost when Sandals Resorts hosts more than 40 Canadian broadcasters and vacation winners from April 11, 2015.
The resort has collaborated with Air Canada and the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) to host the 30th annual 104.5 CHUM FM Breakfast in Barbados promotion – an event that reaches some 1.3 million listeners across Canada.
104.5 CHUM FM is considered one of the leading broadcast networks in Canada with its popular morning show Roger, Darren and Marilyn. The three will broadcast live from the grounds of Sandals Barbados for the week of April 11 to 18, 2015.
The move is expected to capitalise on a steady rejuvenation of the Barbados tourism product since the opening of Sandals on January 28, 2015 and the amplification in airlift provided to the destination by Air Canada.
The total promotional value for Barbados is estimated at US$2.7 million.
General Manager for Sandals Barbados, Josef Zellner, said the property was honoured to have been asked to host the historic event, adding that the milestone of 30 years meshed perfectly with the birth of Sandals in Barbados.
“I think it is a great partnership and we are excited to host them. We have several repeat guests from North America who are very familiar with the radio show. This certainly gives the island extra exposure, which will definitely benefit everyone,” said Zellner.
104.5 CHUM FM is presently conducting the on-air Barbados vacation promotion, which will see some 38 winners and their guests traveling with the broadcasters to the island come mid-April. The trip includes round-trip airfare for two from Air Canada Vacations, accommodations at the all new and Luxury Included resort and $1 500 spending money from the CIBC AVENTURA VISA INFINITE card.
Chief executive officer of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. William Griffith noted that Breakfast in Barbados was a key plank in driving increased awareness and visitation to the island. He echoed the sentiments of Zellner and explained that Barbados was thrilled to have Sandals on board for this year’s Festival. “Sandals’ support of this Festival in this way is indeed indicative of their commitment to the Canadian market and, by extension, Barbados. We will definitely reap mutually satisfying rewards from this initiative”.
 “Breakfast in Barbados is part of a larger, island-wide initiative and also includes an exclusive concert that will be staged at Holders House for radio prizewinners from both CHUM FM Toronto and sister stations across Canada and local Barbadians.
Grammy award-winning OneRepublic, known for smash hits including Apologize—ranking in the top 50 on the Billboard Hot 100’s All-Time Top Songs list—Stop and Stare and Good Life, is this year’s highly anticipated headliner of Breakfast in Barbados, expected to work their musical magic on the island at Holders, the feature concert venue on April 16, 2015.
Also performing at this year’s Breakfast in Barbados is Andee—a fresh-on-the-scene Canadian singer and songwriter from Québec, already making her mark in the music world.
Along with the April 16th concert, there will be two additional events earlier in the week as part of the Breakfast in Barbados musically-driven line-up, including a Bajan Band Bash on April 13th, where local bands go head-to-head to perform as the opening act at the CHUM FM concert; and a Karaoke Party with Andee on April 15th. Â (PR)
