Tourism transcends mere travel—it is the lifeblood of cultures, communities, and connections. On World Tourism Day, celebrated annually on September 27, the global community reflects on the journeys that unite the world. This year’s theme, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” emphasizes not only the economic significance of tourism but also its potential to foster enduring benefits for communities, economies, and the environment. In Barbados, the focus often centers on international visitors and foreign reserves. However, tourism also thrives at home, where locals explore, support, and sustain the island’s treasures. This philosophy underpins Barbados Today’s campaign, “We Vacation Where We Live,” which encourages Barbadians to rediscover their homeland through immersive tours, authentic cuisine, and cozy staycations. The message is clear: the attractions that draw global travelers can also inspire locals to explore and take pride in their own backyard. One such initiative is The Off Road Experience (TORE) Barbados, founded by Zeko Springer. Born during the COVID-19 pandemic, TORE began as a local venture but has since evolved into a unique offering for both residents and visitors. Springer’s vision was to demystify the outdoors while creating an exhilarating experience. “We wanted to add something fresh and unique to Barbados’ tourism landscape,” he explained. TORE’s success underscores the importance of locals understanding and appreciating their own country. “Home drums beat first,” Springer remarked, emphasizing the value of sharing authentic experiences with visitors. Culinary tourism also plays a pivotal role in Barbados’ sustainable transformation. Yelluh Meat, a restaurant in Black Rock, St. Michael, celebrates Bajan heritage through its signature breadfruit bowls. Co-owner Kim Hamblin highlighted the importance of authenticity. “Visitors seek experiences they can’t find elsewhere,” she said. Yelluh Meat’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its sourcing practices, as it exclusively uses locally grown breadfruit. The restaurant also collaborates with the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) to offer immersive tours, teaching visitors the art of roasting breadfruit over wood fires. For those seeking a place to unwind, Paradise Point Apartments in Maxwell, Christ Church, offers an affordable, art-inspired retreat. Founder Shona Catlin designed the apartments to showcase local artistry, with each room featuring murals of iconic Bajan symbols. “I wanted to create a unique yet budget-friendly experience,” Catlin explained. By employing a DIY approach and upcycling materials, she kept costs low while maintaining high occupancy rates. Paradise Point’s success demonstrates that luxury need not be extravagant. As Barbados celebrates World Tourism Day, the island’s initiatives highlight the dual role of tourism: attracting global visitors while empowering locals to explore and cherish their homeland. By embracing local adventures, cuisine, and staycations, Barbadians not only bolster their economy but also deepen their pride in the island’s rich offerings.
作者： admin
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We Vacation Where We Live: Celebrating Barbados on World Tourism Day
Tourism transcends mere travel—it is the lifeblood of cultures, communities, and connections. On World Tourism Day, celebrated annually on September 27, the global community reflects on the journeys that unite the world. This year’s theme, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” emphasizes not only the economic significance of tourism but also its potential to foster enduring benefits for communities, economies, and the environment. In Barbados, the focus often centers on international visitors and foreign reserves. However, tourism also thrives at home, where locals explore, support, and sustain the island’s treasures. This philosophy underpins Barbados Today’s campaign, “We Vacation Where We Live,” which encourages Barbadians to rediscover their homeland through immersive tours, authentic cuisine, and cozy staycations. The message is clear: the attractions that draw global travelers can also inspire locals to explore and take pride in their own backyard. One such initiative is The Off Road Experience (TORE) Barbados, founded by Zeko Springer. Born during the COVID-19 pandemic, TORE began as a local venture but has since evolved into a unique offering for both residents and visitors. Springer’s vision was to demystify the outdoors while creating an exhilarating experience. “We wanted to add something fresh and unique to Barbados’ tourism landscape,” he explained. TORE’s success underscores the importance of locals understanding and appreciating their own country. “Home drums beat first,” Springer remarked, emphasizing the value of sharing authentic experiences with visitors. Culinary tourism also plays a pivotal role in Barbados’ sustainable transformation. Yelluh Meat, a restaurant in Black Rock, St. Michael, celebrates Bajan heritage through its signature breadfruit bowls. Co-owner Kim Hamblin highlighted the importance of authenticity. “Visitors seek experiences they can’t find elsewhere,” she said. Yelluh Meat’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its sourcing practices, as it exclusively uses locally grown breadfruit. The restaurant also collaborates with the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) to offer immersive tours, teaching visitors the art of roasting breadfruit over wood fires. For those seeking a place to unwind, Paradise Point Apartments in Maxwell, Christ Church, offers an affordable, art-inspired retreat. Founder Shona Catlin designed the apartments to showcase local artistry, with each room featuring murals of iconic Bajan symbols. “I wanted to create a unique yet budget-friendly experience,” Catlin explained. By employing a DIY approach and upcycling materials, she kept costs low while maintaining high occupancy rates. Paradise Point’s success demonstrates that luxury need not be extravagant. As Barbados celebrates World Tourism Day, the island’s initiatives highlight the dual role of tourism: attracting global visitors while empowering locals to explore and cherish their homeland. By embracing local adventures, cuisine, and staycations, Barbadians not only bolster their economy but also deepen their pride in the island’s rich offerings.
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Rotary Club of Antigua Installs Peace Pole at Clare Hall Secondary School
In a significant move to promote peace and unity among the youth, the Rotary Club of Antigua unveiled a Peace Pole at Clare Hall Secondary School on September 25, 2305. This initiative, celebrated during a ceremony on September 26, symbolizes a global call for harmony, bearing the universal message, ‘May Peace Prevail on Earth.’ The Peace Pole serves as a constant reminder of the importance of fostering understanding and compassion within communities and educational institutions. Elisa Graham, President of the Rotary Club of Antigua, emphasized the deeper meaning behind the installation. She stated that the Peace Pole is not merely a monument but a catalyst for students to internalize peace and reflect it in their thoughts, words, and actions. Graham expressed hope that the initiative would inspire students to become peacemakers in their homes, schools, and eventually, the world. Lorna Richardson, Principal of Clare Hall Secondary School, expressed her gratitude and enthusiasm for being part of this meaningful project. She highlighted the school’s commitment to not only academic excellence but also to instilling values of peace, conflict resolution, and civic responsibility. Richardson affirmed that the Peace Pole aligns perfectly with the school’s mission to nurture productive citizens who contribute positively to Antigua and Barbuda. Graham also acknowledged the vital role of educators in fostering peace, urging students to embrace kindness, empathy, and leadership. This initiative reflects the Rotary Club’s enduring dedication to ‘Service Above Self’ and its vision of transforming the dream of peace into a shared reality. The installation of the Peace Pole underscores the club’s broader efforts to cultivate goodwill and harmony, particularly among the younger generation, who hold the promise of shaping a more peaceful future.
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UWI academic warns of democratic risk if migration policy is mishandled
Professor C. Justin Robinson, Principal of the Five Islands Campus at the University of the West Indies in Antigua, has issued a stark warning to Caribbean governments. As Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines prepare to launch the region’s most ambitious free movement agreement, Robinson emphasized the need to address public anxieties to avoid political backlash and threats to democratic stability. The initiative, emerging from the CARICOM Enhanced Cooperation Protocol, allows citizens of these nations to live, work, and access basic services without work permits or residency requirements. While this promises economic benefits, Robinson cautioned that lessons from the U.S. and Europe highlight the risks of uneven distributional impacts and public perception mismanagement. He stressed that success will depend on addressing infrastructure, employment, and social integration challenges. Robinson also highlighted the potential for economic disparities and infrastructure strain, particularly in small island states with limited resources. He underscored the importance of financial system integration and cultural affinity as key advantages, urging policymakers to learn from global migration experiences to avoid pitfalls.
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Met officials warn of significant rainfall from Tropical Depression Nine
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bahamas Meteorology Department has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for the islands of the Northwest and Central Bahamas, including Eleuthera, New Providence, Abaco, Andros, Berry Islands, Grand Bahama, San Salvador, Rum Cay, Long Island, Exuma and its Cays, and Cat Island. As of the latest update at 12:00 pm, the forecast track has shifted westward, predicting the storm’s center to pass east of Andros and over New Providence early Sunday morning. By Sunday night, the system is expected to move between Abaco and East Grand Bahama, intensifying into a Tropical Storm.
According to the department, the storm currently has maximum sustained winds of 35 miles per hour, with higher gusts. Further strengthening is anticipated in the coming days, with the system likely to develop into a hurricane by late Monday or Tuesday. The Central and Southeast Bahamas are expected to experience heavy rainfall, with amounts ranging from 4 to 8 inches and isolated areas receiving up to 10 inches. Authorities are urging residents in low-lying areas to take immediate precautions to minimize potential property damage caused by flooding.
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Linguists call for embrace of Bajan English in schools as “coucou, saltfish” enter Oxford English Dictionary
In the face of a deepening literacy crisis, education experts in Barbados are advocating for the integration of the Barbadian dialect into the classroom as a foundational tool for teaching. This call comes as recent data reveals alarming declines in literacy rates among students, with many underperforming in English assessments. Last year, the National Task Force on Literacy Education reported that 20% of students scored below 50% in the Barbados Secondary Schools Entrance Examination, while 13% scored below 40%, and some even achieved zero percent. These figures underscore the urgent need for innovative strategies to enhance English proficiency and academic outcomes across primary and secondary schools. Literacy specialist Shawntelle Morgan and Dr. Ronald Francis, Secretary of the Society for Caribbean Linguistics, emphasized the importance of cultural pride in education. Their remarks coincided with the Oxford English Dictionary’s (OED) September 2025 update, which included 12 Caribbean words and phrases, such as ‘bobolee,’ ‘broughtupsy,’ and ‘cou-cou.’ Dr. Francis highlighted that this inclusion signifies global recognition of the Caribbean’s linguistic legacy, urging the region to value its dialects without waiting for external validation. He pointed to historical post-colonial attitudes that marginalized Creole and local languages, stressing that teaching in a language students understand significantly improves learning outcomes. Morgan echoed this sentiment, advocating for a dual-language approach where the Barbadian dialect serves as the teaching foundation while students also master Standard English. She argued that this method not only enhances academic performance but also boosts student engagement and self-esteem by validating their cultural identity. Both experts emphasized the importance of code-switching, encouraging students to see the ability to move between dialect and Standard English as a strength. Morgan also dismissed concerns that dialect use might hinder students, asserting that mastery of one’s native language facilitates the learning of a second language. The OED’s recognition of Caribbean terms, she noted, affirms the region’s role as a producer of language and culture, challenging the notion that Caribbean speech patterns are inferior. The newly added words carry rich cultural significance, reflecting the Caribbean’s unique linguistic and culinary heritage. As Barbados grapples with its literacy challenges, the integration of dialect into education emerges as a promising pathway to fostering both academic success and cultural pride.
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Shift focus from rectal exam for prostate cancer screening, says urologist
A prominent Jamaican urologist, Dr. Colette Antoine, is advocating for a significant shift in prostate cancer screening practices, urging a move away from the traditional digital rectal examination (DRE) towards the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. Dr. Antoine highlights the DRE’s limited sensitivity in detecting early-stage prostate cancer, emphasizing the PSA test’s superior ability to identify potential issues before symptoms manifest. Prostate cancer remains the leading cause of death among Jamaican men and the most prevalent cancer in the country. The PSA test measures levels of prostate-specific antigen in the blood, with elevated levels often indicating the presence of cancer. In contrast, the DRE involves a physical examination of the prostate through the rectum, which can miss cancers located on the front wall of the gland. Dr. Antoine’s stance aligns with the British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS), which recently criticized the DRE as an outdated and ineffective method. Historically, the DRE has been more widely promoted in Jamaica due to its cost-effectiveness compared to the PSA test, which is more expensive. However, Dr. Antoine stresses that combining both tests offers the most comprehensive screening approach. Despite the social stigma surrounding the DRE, particularly in Jamaica where homophobic attitudes are prevalent, urologist Dr. Dean Wong notes that many men privately consent to the exam without hesitation. Dr. Antoine observes that asymptomatic men are increasingly receptive to screening, partly due to her being a woman, while symptomatic men are more likely to agree due to the urgency of their condition. Younger men, in particular, are becoming more proactive, often opting for multiple screenings annually.
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No wasting time for youngest senator
Senator Cleveland Tomlinson, Jamaica’s first lawmaker born in the 2000s, has declared his appointment as a pivotal moment in the nation’s political landscape. At just 25 years old, Tomlinson views his role as a catalyst for generational change and a platform to amplify youth voices in governance. Appointed by Opposition Leader Mark Golding, he expressed humility in accepting the responsibility and vowed to leverage his expertise to advance Jamaica’s macroeconomic stability and youth engagement.
Tomlinson, who holds a master’s degree in economics from The University of the West Indies and a bachelor’s degree in business and computer studies, brings a wealth of professional experience from his tenure at Sagicor Investments Jamaica Limited. His background in equities and fixed-income analysis, coupled with his strategic insights into macroeconomic trends, positions him as a formidable advocate for economic reform.
In an interview with the Jamaica Observer, Tomlinson emphasized the importance of fresh perspectives in addressing national challenges. ‘Young people bring innovative ideas and new approaches to problem-solving,’ he stated, referencing his predecessor, former Senator Gabriela Morris, who was appointed at 23. ‘This is a calling to demonstrate what young people can achieve in shaping the future.’
Tomlinson’s appointment marks a significant shift in Jamaican politics, signaling greater inclusivity for younger demographics. He believes his presence in Parliament will inspire hope and confidence among youth, who often feel disconnected from the political process. ‘I want to show that anything is possible,’ he said, underscoring his commitment to integrity and diligence in his legislative duties.
As the junior Opposition spokesman on finance and planning, Tomlinson has already begun addressing critical economic issues. He highlighted Jamaica’s progress in macro-fiscal stability, crediting successive administrations for policies that have strengthened public finances. However, he stressed the need for further reforms to enhance economic capacity and address challenges in the financial sector, particularly concerning regulatory balance and youth employment.
Tomlinson also voiced concerns about the precarious nature of jobs available to young people, noting that while unemployment rates are low, many positions lack income security and stability. He called for policies to improve homeownership opportunities for youth, describing it as a pressing issue that requires immediate attention.
In his role, Tomlinson aims to inspire his peers while leveraging his economic expertise to drive meaningful change. ‘I intend to contribute to discussions, decision-making, and the resolution of issues impacting our economy,’ he affirmed, pledging to treat his parliamentary responsibilities with the utmost seriousness.
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‘Mr Nose’, ‘Ms Petal’ take TikTok by storm
In a digital landscape often criticized for its superficiality, Adonique “Mr Nose” Cole and Melanie “Ms Petal” Welsh have emerged as standout talents on TikTok. Known for their spontaneous and humorous skits, particularly their ‘nosey landlord versus problematic tenant’ series, the duo has captivated a growing audience and set their sights on long-term careers in the performing arts. Their journey, marked by resilience and creativity, serves as an inspiring narrative of turning rejection into opportunity.
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‘My car became an ambulance’
Latoya Minott Smikle, a mother of five, has turned her personal tragedy into a mission to support others battling sickle cell disease. During her fourth pregnancy, Smikle discovered that her newborn son, Aiden-Jon Amir Hall, had sickle cell anaemia, a severe genetic blood disorder. She also learned that she, her partner, and their three other children were carriers of the sickle cell trait. After a courageous five-and-a-half-year battle, Aiden-Jon passed away in 2022 due to complications from the disease. In his memory, Smikle established the Aiden-Jon Amir Hall Foundation, aiming to raise $1 million this year to provide financial aid to six individuals living with sickle cell disease and to raise awareness about the condition. Smikle’s journey began when she lived next to a family affected by the disease, witnessing their struggles firsthand. She never imagined she would face the same reality. Aiden-Jon’s diagnosis was followed by the shocking revelation that her entire family carried the trait. The disease, which causes red blood cells to become rigid and crescent-shaped, leads to severe pain, anaemia, and organ damage. Smikle’s life became a cycle of late-night hospital visits, financial strain, and emotional turmoil as she cared for her son while balancing work and family responsibilities. She highlighted the lack of empathy and systemic gaps in support for sickle cell patients and their families. The Sickle Cell Unit at the University of the West Indies, Mona, provides essential services but remains underfunded. Smikle’s foundation seeks to address these challenges by offering financial assistance and building a supportive community. She has identified six beneficiaries, including the child of a single father needing surgery. A fundraising dinner in October aims to meet the $1 million target. Smikle believes her son’s life, though short, had a profound impact, and she is determined to continue his legacy by helping others. ‘I want to help someone else’s child live longer and healthier,’ she said, reflecting on her mission to bring hope to those in need.