After a dismal 2013 from a land based tourism perspective, certainly up until the end of November, it was refreshing to get some good news to end the year. After many early media releases in July, it was finally confirmed this month by the Barbados Tourism Authority that the Top Gear Festival, will make its Americas debut at the renovated Bushy Park Circuit on May 17 and 18, 2014, the first of three consecutive annual events planned for this location.
Several similar festivals have already taken place across the world including in Australia and South Africa and according to the organizers “further destinations are in development and will be announced in the New Year”.
There can be no doubt that this event has the potential to attractive massive destination coverage overseas. Based on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) television series, the audience reach is what can only described as staggering and includes holding the Guinness Book Of Records holder for “the most watched factual programme in the world”.
The television episodes are sold to 214 territories across the globe, have two million subscribers to the Official Top Gear YouTube Channel with over 500 million video views, 19 million Facebook fans, a magazine circulation of over one million and 5.7 million unique users on its website. It does not end there. A visit to the BBC Advertising online source details many other impressive statistics.
As if in harmony, both Virgin Atlantic and British Airways have launched their latest seat sales and for travel in May, fares on offer are among the lowest on scheduled services to any point in the Caribbean from Gatwick and Manchester, starting at £520 including all the taxes, for people booking before January 28, 2014. Of course it will not just attract Brits, but could help to avoid any additional erosion of airline routes and capacity. Tour Operators are already putting hotel/flight packages into the market and hopefully the smaller accommodation providers will put together attractive alternatives for the independent travellers.
Opportunity to display
There should also be a tremendous trickle-down effect from visitors for our car rental companies, restaurants, attractions, activities and taxis. Hopefully too, the venue will make an area available where our arts and craft people can display and sell their wares to ensure the majority of visitors do not leave the island with foreign made trinkets.
And frankly, credit where due, for it to be taking place in the slower summer months especially May, is a coup and kudos to all who have made it possible. Top Gear’s demographics are also interesting as 40 per cent of the TV audience is female (often the decision-makers in holiday choice), with the remainder, males 18 to 35 years-old passionate about cars and driving, with dads and lads who like cars and their children aged seven to 11.
Our current policymakers have been very vocal concerning trying to attract a much younger average visitor to Barbados, and again this may prove critical in that objective, especially during the traditionally leaner off-season periods.
As with other Top Gear Festivals, I expect a website and Facebook page will be up and running shortly, showing accommodation and ticket purchasing options with detailed information about the event.
Email re-discover@caribsurf.com