An influx of Canadian tourists is expected to arrive on the Caribbean island of Barbados with the launch of a new seasonal direct route from Toronto this winter.
From January to September 2024, Barbados welcomed 63,228 Canadian stay-over visitors, an increase of 8,970 compared to the same period in 2023, according to official data.
The growing interest among Canadian travelers in the island has been attributed to the implementation of aggressive marketing campaigns that have positioned Barbados as a top choice for these North American tourists and the increase in flight connectivity.
Regarding the latter, Air Canada transported 4,036 passengers to the island in the first nine months of 2024, contributing to a 13.4% surge in Canadian visitor numbers.
These figures underscore the solid ties between the two nations and highlight the pivotal role Canadian tourists play in the development of the island tourism industry.
Other key markets for the island include the United States and the United Kingdom.
In fact, recent data shows that Americans represent the leading source market for Barbados. During the first half of 2024, U.S. arrivals experienced a remarkable 38% year-over-year increase, totaling 136,105 visitors.
While the U.K. remains one of Barbados’ most important markets, the island experienced a slight decline in visitors this year, with arrivals dropping from 136,721 in the first half of 2023 to 136,105 in the same period of 2024.
Barbados is also seeing significant arrivals from other regions. So far this year, European countries such as Germany and France have contributed over 4,087 visitors.
Meanwhile, Caribbean nations like Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana have brought in a similar number of tourists.
Central and South America, with Venezuela and Brazil on top, have also added more than 1,299 visitors to the total.
Returning to the topic of Canadian travelers, Air Canada now connects Barbados’s Grantley Adams International Airport to cities such as Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Halifax, Victoria, and New York.
Surprisingly, this fruitful relationship between the two countries is far from new. On Dec. 3, Barbados celebrated 75 years of successful partnership with Air Canada as a testimony of decades of friendship.
“We are celebrating a milestone that pre-dates Barbados’ 58-year history as an independent nation and its three-year history as a Republic. This seven and a half decades of Air Canada flight service to Barbados, is a testament to the enduring bond between our two countries, a relationship built on trust, collaboration, and mutual respect,” said Toronto’s Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill during his intervention in front of the company’s top executives and tourism leaders in both countries.
Barbados’ Tourism Industry in 2025 “Shines Bright Like a Diamond”
Tourism in Barbados is forecast to see significant growth in 2025, driven by strategic initiatives like the “We Gatherin’ 2025” campaign, which aims to attract Barbadians from the diaspora back to the island.
The initiative, announced by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, seeks to celebrate the nation’s heritage and culture through unique events planned throughout the year.
Additionally, the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) has announced efforts to further enhance the summer season by introducing events and attractions tailored for international travelers to position Rihanna’s homeland as the most diverse and dynamic destination in the Caribbean.