With Barbados’ February 11 general election approaching, tourism industry leader Javon Griffith has presented an urgent reform agenda for the incoming administration, simultaneously warning that geopolitical tensions originating from the United States threaten the island’s most critical tourism market.
Griffith, Chairman of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA), identified two legislative priorities requiring immediate attention. First, he demanded the formal integration of residential tourism companies—specifically car rental firms—under the Tourism Act, arguing their economic significance has surpassed their current regulatory classification under the Ministry of Transport and Works.
“Bringing car rental firms under the Tourism Act would formally recognize them as integral components of the tourism ecosystem, alongside hotels and restaurants, reflecting their substantial contribution to the industry,” Griffith stated. He emphasized that administrative oversight should transfer to the Ministry of Tourism to align regulatory framework with economic reality.
Second, the BHTA chairman called for urgent reform of duty-free concessions for hospitality businesses approaching the expiration of their statutory 15-year benefits window. Griffith advocated for either expanding existing concessions or completely redesigning the legislative framework through new parliamentary legislation to ensure continuity for affected establishments.
These demands emerge against a backdrop of growing industry anxiety over external geopolitical factors. Recent disruptions to Caribbean airspace during US military operations against Venezuelan leadership resulted in significant flight cancellations and delays at Grantley Adams International Airport, stranding passengers and highlighting the vulnerability of Barbados’ tourism sector to international political developments.
Griffith expressed particular concern about US foreign policy directions, noting that the United States has recently surpassed Britain as Barbados’ primary source market. “The US market is pivotal to our continued growth,” he stressed. “It’s the fastest-growing market currently, and we cannot afford regression after the substantial efforts invested by Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.”
The BHTA maintains weekly coordination with tourism authorities to strategize for upcoming 2025/26 winter and summer seasons, with additional collaboration planned with the National Cultural Foundation to leverage events like the Crop Over Festival as summer tourism drivers. Griffith emphasized that these critical discussions will continue with whatever government emerges from the upcoming election.