Live in Barbados

An article in today’s Barbados Advocate:

Artificial islands a viable option?

It is no secret that the available land space in this country is quite limited, and with more and more tourism-related developments popping up every and anywhere, some Barbadians are starting to wonder if there will be enough land left for them to own a piece of the rock.

It is for this reason, as well as the fact that tourism is our mainstay and needs every opportunity to progress and expand, that I think the idea of creating artificial islands off of the West Coast of Barbados is not a bad idea. That proposal, put forward by real estate magnate Paul Altman, has been on the table for about a year now and as I understand it, would consist of a 250-acre island that would house new tourism-based developments and a second with a size of 50 acres, to serve as a national park. Certainly, not only would it provide alternative accommodation for the tourists who visit these shores and provide employment for more Barbadians, but it could make this country more attractive to the more affluent tourists, which could mean more foreign exchange.

Indeed, this concept of creating islands would be somewhat new to the Caribbean region. Yes, countries have reclaimed land before, Barbados included – the current site of the Bridgetown Deep Water Harbour is what was Pelican Island – but to go to the extent of actually developing an island off the coast has not been done. However, I do think that it would serve to raise our stakes where the tourism industry is concerned.

Read full article here.

Personally I find this very concerning from an environmental impact.  Reports on the grape vine of the artificial islands in Dubai suggest the islands need round the clock maintenance to stop them from washing away.  The real estate market in Dubai has crashed and with that the influx of income to maintain the islands will surely diminish.

BPL would like to know your opinion on this controversial topic!

Barbados will soon have a direct non-stop flight from South America.

Starting Summer 2010, GOL, the second largest airline in Brazil, will operate a Boeing 737 from Sao Paulo to Bridgetown once a week on Saturdays, with same-plane connections to Buenos Aires, Argentina and connections to Rio de Janeiro at no additional cost.  This will be the second scheduled service from Sao Paulo in Barbados’ history. In the mid-nineties, BWIA operated a flight from Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago through Barbados to Sao Paulo.

The new service was born out of meetings which the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA), aided by Hon. Consul to Brazil, Jorge Nemr, held with GOL in Sao Paulo and in Barbados in August and September last year. Since then the parties have been in constant contact via e-mail and telephone. The flight will be promoted from March, 2010.

See full article here.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BTA) — Tourism, long believed by economic pundits to be the sector to pull Barbados out of the global economic recession, is already showing tremendous signs of improvement in 2010.

Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA) preliminary figures show a 5.3 per cent increase in arrivals as at January 29 over the previous period in 2010, while official 2009 figures show that tourism officials met their target with the sector waning by 8.6 per cent. Early 2009 predictions were for a performance in the region of -8.5 per cent.

At a recent press conference Tourism Minister Richard Sealy, commended the captains of the industry for their sterling efforts that saw job losses kept at a minimal. Meanwhile a number of businesses that buckled under the recession reopened under new management and new branding.

See full article here.

Today’s Access Barbados newsletter introduces the Barbados National Trust open house programme…

The National Trust’s Open House programme runs January through March 2010.

Every Wednesday a beautiful house in Barbados opens its doors to the public to view from 2.30pm to 5pm.

All types of houses are on show from the grand old plantation houses rich with centuries of history, to newer luxurious Bajan-Style villas.

Check out the February calendar;

Wednesday Feb 3rd 2010
BELLEVUE, Waterford, St Michael

The plantation dates from 1635 and commands a broad view down its manicured slope. This splendid property has been restored and renovated in a way that enhances its special character. Mosaics, converted outbuildings, horses and vast grounds complete the picture.

Wednesday Feb 10th 2010
POLLARD’S MILL, St. Philip

Pollards Mill combines the best of old and new. Built circa 1722, the spacious old stone property has had many lives: as a plantation, a hotel and a fine restaurant. The mill still stands, and the entire complex is surrounded by 2.5 acres of enclosed tropical garden.

Wednesday Feb 17th 2010
FISHERPOND PLANTATION HOUSE, St. Thomas

Fisherpond House is an over 300 year old mansion, built of rubble stone in Caribbean Georgian style, and has been transformed into a jewel, beautifully filled with antiques, paintings and objects d’art.

Wednesday Feb 24th 2010
ST. ANN’S FORT & DRILL HALL

Two of the Garrison’s Historic Military buildings are on show both occupied by The Barbados Defense Force. Built in 1702, the naval magazine displayed in the grounds is the finest known collection of 17th century English iron cannon. The Drill Hall hosts the West India Regiment memorabilia & offers a remarkable view of The Garrison area.

Admission & Directions

Admission prices for the Open House programme are $10 for National Trust members, $15 for BARP members and $20 for non members. For directions to the properties and any further information please email the National Trust.

Check these deals out!

…….. but, when will the government actually do anything about it.

Sir, I am writing this letter to you today because I would like your assistance in thanking someone. A few days ago, while driving home from work, I noticed someone throwing their garbage out of the window of a bus waiting at a junction. Sir, it is this individual that I would like to thank and I am seeking your assistance in doing so by asking that you publish my letter. What follows is for him (or her):

You see, when you (i.e., the throw-er of the garbage) threw whatever you threw out of the window, you weren’t littering, you were doing your bit for the economy! You were trying to show us that there is another way besides tourism!

Link for blog.

To mark JetBlue’s new nonstop service fromJFK to Barbados, the low fare all coach airline and the Barbados Tourism Authority have announced an exclusive private concert with the Barbados pop superstar, Rihanna (Robyn Rihanna Fenty) at the Hammerstein Ballroomin New York City on December 3. 

The concert celebrates the pop diva’s new album “Rated R.” The concert is not available for public purchase, but fans will have a chance to win tickets through radio and online promotions.

In addition, JetBlue announced a “New York to Barbados” creative photo contest through social media outlets including Twitter and Facebook, inviting customers to celebrate JetBlue’s new nonstop service to Rihanna’s hometown and the launch of her new CD.

If you have time, please follow this link to fill out this questionnaire on “impacts in Barbados from tourism.”

Following on from my blog on July 9th, Health Awareness Tourism – another string in the bow for Barbados’s tourism sector, an interesting article was posted today on www.treatmentabroad.net that highlighted Barbados’s good facilities to treat for kidneys and infertile women.

This is all good stuff to help bolster the island tourism sector for both short term and long term visitors.

Also, in the same breath we should also consider those thinking of retiring to Barbados.  Along with good medical facilities, we have a solid property market and a stable political environment!