Barbados Is My Kind of Island
with Nina Slawek


Bathsheba on the east coast of Barbados


Fruit vendors in Bridgetown


Typical Bajan Chattel House


Pond at the beautiful Fairmont Royal Pavillion



View from the Fairmont dining room



David Rice, President and CEO of the Barbados Tourism Authority

I was barely out of the airport parking lot, and already I could sense the vibe. Barbados is one cool island. I knew that immediately because my taxi driver told me so. And winding our way through the narrow streets of Bridgetown, watching the fruit vendors engage with Bajans heading home for the evening, I could see he was right.

I was hoping this visit would forgive my sin of omission – after years in travel, I had never made it to Barbados. Not because it’s a little further east, but because I had mistakenly assumed it was much like most pretty Caribbean islands. Alas, being a first timer to Barbados is almost as bad as never having visited. “Well, well, well,” the folks from the tourism authority chided me. “So you finally decided to come and visit us.”

No hard feelings, they are right. Why hadn’t I discovered Barbados before? It’s got everything my husband and I enjoy. A funky beat. Great restaurants. Extremely friendly and uninhibited locals of all colour and creed. And I love that it’s not uniquely an all-inclusive product. Smaller, more intimate resorts are more my speed, where I get to mingle with the people who make this place their home.

One of those mix and mingles gave me the opportunity to spend time with the affable President and CEO of the Tourism Authority, David Rice. I have not heard him sing, but his personality alone should give Rihanna a run for her money as poster person for the island. According to Rice, arrivals are up as compared to 2010, but, not surprisingly, expenditures are decreasing slightly with shorter stays for U.S. and U.K. visitors.

Considering all the competition for Canada’s beach dollars, Barbados is holding its own. The lift from both Air Canada and WestJet is a big plus. As I happened to fly AC, I’d like to give a big shout out to the crew on AC966 out of YYZ. In particular, to gracious flight attendant Stephanie Carlton who reminded me of how wonderful it is to be taken care of by someone who clearly enjoys her job.

Thanks also to Cheryl Carter for never tiring in her crusade to get my bump over the hump and onto her native soil. (Are we good now?)

 


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