A million Chinese ‘on visit’

There have been one million plus Chinese “visitors” to Barbados during the past three months, with another four million expected by the end of October. Marketing executive of the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA), Bernard Phillips, explained that although not physically coming to Barbadian shores, these “tourists” had a taste of the Barbadian experience by visiting the BTA’s booth at the 2010 Shanghai Expo in China. Attractions such as road tennis, cricket, golf, dry surfing, limbo dancing with Cheryl Grazette, and Bajan delicacies compliments of local chef Peter Edey, all provided the flavour of a Bajan vacation. Harrison’s Cave, the Parliament Buildings, the various festivals, and the sugar industry are some of the other aspects of Barbados depicted in the pavilion. Phillips said there had been “very positive feedback” to the displays.“In relation to tourism, there is the total Barbados experience in the pavilion. Visitors are attracted to come here and they spend lots of time here. “Many visitors have indicated an interest in visiting Barbados and many people are asking additional questions about Barbados – and that is a good indication. “We are creating awareness, because many people had not heard about Barbados before . . . but now it can become top of mind,” he said.Phillips added that several participants from the 200 countries and organisations at the expo had also been visiting the booth, and, had been expressing an interest in coming to Barbados. He also said the BTA had been corresponding with a number of tourism operators which, he said, was critical. “We met with over 20 tour operators and had very productive meetings and we will have ongoing discussions. “We will also have seminars for travel agents, education in and outside of the booth to educate the travel trade about Barbados as a tourism destination.” The educational sessions being held in China for the travel trade will continue in Barbados in September, with a familiarisation visit hosted by the BTA as part of its Come, See and Believe promotion. Phillips indicated that the tour operators would be able to experience Barbados for themselves, which, he believes, “puts them in a better position to come back here [to China] and sell Barbados as a destination”. The marketing executive also revealed that the BTA was working on its website, which would be up and running shortly in mandarin, a move which he described as being “key to communicating with the travel trade in China”.        The BTA’s main objectives for participating in the expo which started May 1, and ended yesterday, are to promote Barbados as a high-quality tourism destination as well as a place for investment. (BGIS)