Tourists documenting our destroyed beaches, placing photos on the Internet

Environment Minister maintains silence on the destruction near Mullins Bay
The government of Barbados authorized groynes to be built into the ocean near the old Kings Beach Hotel. Only a few years later the entire area is suffering as the groynes accelerated the destruction of the area beaches.
“Word is getting out that Mullins Bay is a [...]

Jamaica’s Canadian tourism up 28 percent over last year!

Caricom Unity? Forget about it… it’s every country for itself in a fight for survival on the Tourism Battleground.
Jamaican Tourism Minister personally met with 300 Canadian travel agents in Canada’s Western Provinces
Despite the global economic crisis, Jamaican Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett says a record number of Canadian tourists are expected to visit Jamaica this [...]

Private Barbados Tourism Impact Study highlights concerns with policing, environment and housing costs

Tourism Impacts – The Good, the Bad and the “Oh Oh”
Amit Uttamchandani of Pull! Push! blog recently completed his online study of Resident Perceptions of Tourism Impacts in Barbados with over 400 people taking the time to participate. The study forms part of Amit’s just submitted MBA dissertation. (Good luck Amit!)
Amit’s study validated some of [...]

Idiocy! Government Minister Hutson says “Look to Latinos”, but Barbados Tourism Authority failed to establish Spanish, Portuguese language websites despite 10 years of begging by hotel owners

Those leaders who can… do. The rest of the politicians and tourism officials talk, talk, talk and then do nothing.
Minister of International Business and International Transport George Hutson gave a press conference last Sunday where he mused about the possibilities of targeting South American markets to fill the tourism void during the “off” season – [...]

There’s nothing like an exposed septic tank on the beach to impress the tourists!

Has Environment Minister Denis Lowe seen the exposed septic tank?
If Barbados’ Minister of the Environment hasn’t seen this, we’d have to ask “Why not?”
If he has seen it, we’d have to ask “Why hasn’t he done anything about it?”
Our friends over at Mullins Bay Blog have the story: Owner hits the Internet to clear up [...]

Everyone Has The Same Idea: Chinese Tourism Will Save Us!

With so many countries looking for Chinese tourists, what can Barbados do to stand out?

What does Barbados have in common with Bermuda, Italy, the U.K., Guam, Georgia, New York City, the Emirates, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Australia, Canada, Viet Nam, Germany, Malaysia, Fiji, Ecuador, Montenegro, Egypt, France, India, Mexico, Thailand, Bahamas, Amsterdam, Indonesia and New [...]

Questionnaire: Tourism impacts in Barbados

Hi BFP,
I would like to ask for your/the BFP reader’s help. I’m still short of responses for my questionnaire on resident perceptions of tourism impacts in Barbados. I’ve converted the questionnaire into an online format and it is available here:
Questionnaire: Tourism impacts in Barbados
As a result of our economic dependence on tourism, the purpose of the [...]

Murdered Canadian Tourist Terry Schwarzfeld Called “White Trash” – Senior Advisor to Barbados Prime Minister Publishes Articles on Same Racist Website!

Why Does Prime Minister Thompson’s most senior advisor publish articles at a website that calls Terry Schwarzfeld “White Trash”?
Early this year, readers from Barbados Free Press voted to remove the sidebar links to the Barbados Underground blog because that blog had become a racist hotbed – and also because they published reader comments containing threats [...]

Barbados Police Allow Thieves To Take Home Stolen Fish – No Charges

GRAEME HALL NATURE SANCTUARY, INC.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bridgetown, Barbados
MONDAY, August 24, 2009
Email Contact:               news@graemehall.com
Archives and Art:          www.graemehall.com/reference.htm
Poachers Caught and Released by Police
On Saturday, August 15, 2009, a group of about 15 fisherman were found in the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary fishing illegally for its rare tarpon, the largest and most popular exhibit fish in the Graeme [...]

Barbados Ambassador to the USA Wows ‘em in Iowa – BFP Readers can follow up and invite folks to Barbados: Read How!

55 Foreign Dignitaries Tour Iowa – and the state newspapers feature our John Beale in syndicated story

Barbados Ambassador to the USA, John Beale, recently finished a five day tour of the state of Iowa that was sponsored by Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley. Beale was part of a group of 55 foreign dignitaries who were shown [...]

Mexico Decriminalizes Marijuana, Cocaine, Heroin Personal Use – Is it about tourism?

Wise Move in the Drug Wars… or Desperation By A Failed Nation?
This week the Mexican government decriminalized personal possession of marijuana, cocaine, LSD, methamphetamine and heroin.
I’m no expert, but it seems to me that Mexico has just expanded the demand for product and enriched the drug cartels and local dealers – while doing nothing to [...]

Taking Denis Lowe’s Cruise? Ask the Environment Minister about Mullins Bay.

Minister Lowe’s Cruise Vessel Usually Turns At Mullins Bay!

When we last heard from our friends at Mullins Bay Blog, Environment Minister Denis Lowe hadn’t shown his face at the site of the infamous 3 groynes that are destroying beaches in the area. The issue is that well-connected and well-financed developers were given permission by government [...]

Barbados Police Again Fail To Uphold Law At Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary & RAMSAR Protected Wetlands

Barbados Deliberately Neglects Enforcement of Wildlife Laws on RAMSAR Treaty Protected Wetlands
On Saturday August 15, Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary personnel reported at least 15 people boldly fishing in broad daylight from the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary boardwalk.
The Royal Barbados Police Force were called but as usual they didn’t respond for hours. I guess the [...]

Will Canadian Philanthropist Peter Allard Take Over Failing Barbados Tourist Attraction Ocean Park?

“We have run out of funds needed to push forward to a sustainable position.”
… Ocean Park manager Tracy Johnson
Ocean Park Aquarium Shutting Down August 30, 2009
The Barbados marine exhibition known as Ocean Park has been dying a slow death and bleeding investors since shortly after it opened in 2005. Everyone had hopes that the tourist [...]

Panama’s Tourism Arrivals Doubled In Five Years, Solomon Islands Up 8% Over Last Year – What About Barbados?

A few days ago our resident hotel owner, tourism guru and recently-fired Barbados Tourism Authority member Adrian Loveridge said “I hope we have a plan“ and pointed out that visitor arrivals from the USA to Barbados have been flat for the last seven years.
He also asked about the wisdom of continuing to spend gobs of [...]

Why Hasn’t Barbados Seen Any Growth In Visitors From The USA?

I hope ‘we’ have a plan.
In less than two months we will see the arrival of two new air services. Factually the return of one from Philadelphia (US Airways) and a brand new addition, JetBlue from New York!
There is no doubt in my mind that JetBlue aggressive pricing will drive new business, even though [...]

Lesson for Barbados – Mexican Hotel Builds Groyne To Steal Beach Sand: Government Sends In Navy, Police, Environmental Enforcement Agents!

Unlike Barbados, the Government of Mexico is obviously serious about protecting fragile coastline and beaches from corporations and developers that think they can do whatever they want to enhance their own beachfront at the expense of the environment and others people’s property and enjoyment.
“…some property owners build breakwaters in a bid to retain sand. The [...]

Rihanna: We Want Our Girl Back The Way She Was…

Maybe I’m just getting too old. Maybe I’m too traditional, but I liked this look much better…

Rihanna’s New Mohawk – or something – Haircut
Some thoughts by Ian Bourne: Did Chris Brown’s attack unhinge Rihanna? Gun tattoos, wears pasties and now butchers head – What’s Up?

Barbados Business Could Face Immigration Backlash Throughout Caribbean

Dear Barbados Free Press:
I will just state for the record that my job involves extensive travel throughout the Eastern Caribbean and I have been in the same job for over 11 years. Let me also state that I am for managed migration, however, I must admit that I have a soft spot for my Caribbean [...]

British Tourist Shot, Robbed Near Sandy Lane Resort Barbados On June 4, 2009 – Victim Alleges Silence By Barbados News Media, Hotel, Tourism Authorities

“It did concern me that other British tourists who were staying at the hotel were completely unaware of what had happened. I am not saying it was deliberately suppressed but it doesn’t excuse the fact that no tourists were told about it..”
“There need to be warnings to British tourists that there are armed robbers operating [...]

Barbados Government Steals 2/3 Of Parkland For Developer Friends – Graeme Hall Environmental Disaster Continues

After being elected in January, 2008 one of the first acts of the David Thompson DLP Government was to change the law protecting 265 acres of parkland at Graeme Hall to allow developer friends to profit from these public lands. To make this happen, David Thompson and the DLP Members of Parliament had to set [...]

Barbados Police Praised By Bahamian Volleyball Team – 2 Arrested, 60% Of Stolen Property Recovered

It has been a bitter-sweet feeling for the visitors who found their locker room emptied of their personal things after playing a game in the just concluded Women’s Volleyball World Championships. Joseph Smith, head of the delegation, said although they had not recovered everything that was lost, the team was very happy about the outcome, [...]

Boscobel Road Toll Gang Still Operating Freely In Barbados

Dear Barbados Free Press,
Last year you talked about “road toll” incidents at Boscobel and begged the police to make arrests. The gang is still there every day at the intersection preying on tourists as if it was a regular job. Without exaggeration I tell you they are there every day. Last week some of our [...]

Barbados Children’s Environmental Action Awards Programme – Sponsored By Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary

[Christ Church, BARBADOS]  The new Barbados Children’s Environmental Action Awards (CEA) programme was announced today by the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary.
To be awarded four times each year, the CEA Awards encourages and recognises children and children’s groups for their activities that directly preserve and protect terrestrial and marine natural habitats and parklands throughout Barbados for [...]

Swine Flu Cruise Ship Refused By Grenada – Heading For Barbados… Now What?

UPDATE: Ocean Dream Denied Barbados Entry – 43 Crew Ill With “Flu-like” Symptoms
A LUXURY CRUISE LINER carrying 43 crew members exhibiting “flu-like symptoms” was denied entry into the Bridgetown Port yesterday. (snip)
When contacted, Minister of Health Donville Inniss said: “The situation was drawn to our attention this afternoon [yesterday] that the vessel was heading to [...]

Will Chubbie’s Rude Employee Kill Their DVD Rental Business In Barbados?

My first post after a long break and I’m damned cranky.  I had planned to write something nice, not this.  But a trip to Chubbie’s DVD rental this morning changed my mind for me… (snip)

…In his typically friendly manner, Greg says to the clerk, “Good morning.  We’d like to take these, please.”
The clerk recoils.  She [...]

WHO World Health Organization Declares Swine Flu Pandemic – First Pandemic In 41 Years

GENEVA, June 11 (Reuters) – The World Health Organisation is raising its pandemic alert to phase 6, the top level on its six-point scale, to indicate a flu pandemic is under way, WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan said on Thursday.
“This means the world is moving into the early days of its first influenza pandemic in [...]

Beaches Disappearing Near Mullins Bay Barbados – Why Does Government Allow The St. Peter’s Bay Condo Project To Destroy The Coast?

Our friends over at Mullins Bay Blog have been chiding us lately for not paying enough attention to the destruction occurring on the West Coast, and after some thought we have to plead guilty. Sometimes one gets caught up in life to the point where you forget about the basics. I think it’s called “the [...]

Natural Heritage Barbados Says Environment Is A Top Priority – Just Don’t Look Too Closely At What The Government Is Really Doing…

Fine Words Hide Destructive Actions Taken By Government
As the last mangrove swamp on the island (Graeme Hall) suffocates to death because the Barbados government refuses to maintain the sea gate, the Natural Heritage Department published a full page advert in Friday’s Barbados Advocate to tell the people that the government is taking excellent care of [...]

Barbados Needs Lower Intra-Caribbean Air Taxes To Help Level The Playing Field Between Cruise Ships, Air Travel And Island Hotels

At a time when various Caribbean Ministers of Government have recently met and agreed to levy yet another tax on intra Caribbean air travel, its time perhaps for them to contemplate exactly the effect its having on land based tourism.
A seven day cruise departing from Barbados was recently advertised with one of the largest companies, [...]

Former Barbados Attorney General Dale Marshall Should Buy A Computer!

Newspapers and TV broadcasters are falling like flies. News media advertising revenues are down in some cases by 70% from just a few years ago as the old-style media and the old-style media managers are left behind by the internet.
Meanwhile, sharp business managers and the rest of the world discovered long ago that online delivery [...]

Qatar Building Luxury Hotel In Cuba – Meanwhile Barbados Oceans Two Stops Construction “Cashflow Problem”

Cuba’s Tourism Set To Rocket As US Blockade Falls
Qatar has announced that it will build a five-star resort on the South coast of Cuba and become the first Arab country to “invest in Cuba’s booming tourism sector”. The 450-room upscale resort is expected to be completed by 2015.
The Qatar announcement is only one of the [...]

Canada’s Conquest Vacations Dies: Any Tourists Stranded In Barbados?

After 37 years of sending cold Canadians to Barbados, one of Canada’s oldest travel companies has called it quits. Conquest Vacations says they will not strand any travelers — but reality often eclipses media releases. Although Conquest only represents 7% of the Canadian vacation package industry, its failing is an important indicator of reality.
Whatever happens, [...]

How CLICO Ruined A Barbados Heritage Site: Sam Lord’s Castle

Barbados: The Demise of Sam Lords Castle
Five years ago CLICO Barbados said they would restore Sam Lords Castle as part of a major tourist development.  Surprise, surprise… as they did in the past and have done since about other things — CLICO lied.
You see folks, this is the way it works with these irresponsible [...]

Harry Roberts Says Goodbye To Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary… Hello Banks Beer! (Can’t be all bad)

Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary, one of Barbados’ premier natural treasures and tourist destinations, is shut down and going to waste due to the corrupt relationship between government elites and their land developer friends. Among the hundred or so employees leaving is sanctuary manager Harry Roberts. We received this press release from the sanctuary a week [...]

New US Policy: The First Step To Making Cuba A Caribbean Travel Industry Powerhouse

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama plans to lift longstanding U.S. restrictions on Cuba, a senior administration official said, allowing Cuban-Americans to visit families there as often as they like and to send them unlimited funds…
… from the Wall Street Journal article US to lift some Cuba travel curbs
Welcome To The Next Cuban Revolution!
Unlimited funds and [...]

Layne Redman: A Bajan Finds Himself Living In Dubai

Bajans Here, Bajans There… Bajans Everywhere!
It is said that wherever you go in the world you will find a fellow Bajan, and Layne Redmond is one more proof of that old truism. Redman has lived in London, New York, Boston and for the last six years, Dubai. He makes it home to Barbados about once [...]