Barbados has beat out Russia in the bid to host the World Flower Show in June 2017, an international event described as the Olympics of flower arranging.
Hundreds of flower arrangers and horticulture enthusiasts from around the world are expected to come to the island for the event entitled Flowers In Paradise to be staged at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre.
The triennial show is organised by the World Association of Floral Artists which has a membership of 31 countries. Barbados joins nations such as the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States and Japan which have hosted the show.
President of World Association of Floral Artists, and the Barbados Association of Flower Arrangers, Maurice Webster, said yesterday interest was already being generated and travel agents had started to make requests for hotel accommodation.
He said it was an avenue for local flower growers and importers to capitalise on sales opportunities and horticulturists had been put on alert so they would have an adequate supply of the flowers and plant material required for a show of this magnitude.
The show should also be an avenue for the sale of the wealth of unique plant items that are highly sought after when Barbadian flower arrangers travel to shows overseas. (GC)
