During a State of the Industry gathering held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre on Monday, Barbadian tourism sector stakeholders got a first detailed look at a sweeping multi-million-dollar upgrade initiative for Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA), scheduled to break ground in early 2025 while the facility maintains full daily flight operations. Led by project civil engineer Alan Howard, the presentation outlined a 86,000-square-foot three-level terminal expansion that will roll out a suite of targeted upgrades across passenger-facing and behind-the-scenes airport infrastructure. After successfully wrapping up preliminary design, specification drafting and public tendering processes, the project is currently navigating final regulatory compliance audits to confirm full alignment with national civil aviation safety standards and local construction legal requirements. Core passenger-facing upgrades include four additional aerobridge boarding connections, an expansion of the existing 7-lane security screening checkpoint to 10 lanes fitted with next-generation scanning technology, and expanded departure lounge space adjacent to gates 9 through 12, complemented by a broader selection of retail outlets, dining options and passenger service amenities. To streamline arrivals flows, the overhaul will fully enclose the previously semi-open arrivals concourse to shield incoming travellers from inclement weather, while a new secure mezzanine level will separate arriving and departing passenger foot traffic, eliminating bottlenecks that currently cause crowding in shared terminal corridors. The project also includes a full overhaul of the airport’s baggage handling network: the current single-lane scanning system will be replaced with high-capacity bulk scanners, delivering greater operational redundancy, faster processing speeds and fewer sorting delays during peak seasonal travel surges. Back-of-house and airfield upgrades feature expanded aircraft parking aprons, modernised waste disposal infrastructure and upgraded water treatment systems aligned with the island’s long-term environmental sustainability targets. Howard emphasised that the highest priority for the project management team is to minimise disruption to regular flight schedules and passenger safety throughout the entire construction timeline. To achieve this, GAIA leadership is coordinating closely with civil aviation regulators, airline operators, ground handling service providers and on-site commercial tenants to map out clearly marked temporary walkways and controlled passenger diversion routes, to safely guide travellers around active construction zones particularly near the security screening checkpoint and existing boarding gate areas. Once completed, the expansion will transform GAIA into a more resilient, passenger-centric regional aviation hub, capable of accommodating projected growth in regional and international travel volumes over the coming decade.
标签： Barbados
巴巴多斯
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Airlift: BA expansion to add more than 120k seats a year
Barbados’ Ministry of Tourism and International Transport Acting Permanent Secretary Cheryl Cumberbatch unveiled a landmark expanded air service partnership with British Airways on Sunday, marking the inaugural arrival of the carrier’s resumed London Gatwick route at Grantley Adams International Airport to officially kick off the island’s 2024 winter tourism season. The restored Gatwick service comes after a two-year pause, following a temporary 2024 adjustment that saw BA suspend its Gatwick operations while ramping up flights from London Heathrow to twice daily.
Under the new multi-year agreement, capacity will surge 70% over the ongoing winter travel period, and jump more than 100% by the 2025 summer season, delivering over 120,000 additional annual seats for UK-bound and UK-originating travelers heading to the Caribbean island. From December 2026 through March 2027, British Airways will operate an unprecedented three daily non-stop London-Barbados routes: two daily departures from Heathrow, and one daily departure from Gatwick. The Gatwick service will remain in place through summer 2027, locking in a minimum of two daily BA flights to the island across the traditionally slower summer off-peak period.
Cumberbatch emphasized that the expanded airlift initiative is a core pillar of the Barbadian government’s long-term strategy to eliminate sharp seasonal visitor fluctuations, build year-round air connectivity, and cultivate a far more resilient, globally competitive tourism sector. Critically, officials are not measuring success solely by passenger arrival volumes or available seat capacity: the government has set explicit targets to translate the expanded flight access into tangible, widespread economic gains for local Barbadian communities across all segments of the domestic economy. The priority metrics for the program include sustainable growth in high-value visitor spending, improved commercial performance for local hospitality operators, and expanded economic opportunities that extend far beyond large resort chains to small and medium-sized enterprises, local farmers, independent artisans, cultural practitioners, restaurant owners, ground transport providers, and ecotourism attraction operators.
Government officials noted that stronger linkages between the expanded aviation capacity and the broader domestic economy will drive higher formal employment rates, accelerate local small business growth, boost foreign exchange earnings, and lift shared national prosperity. To ensure the program delivers on these goals, the government is structuring all airlift development policies to be commercially grounded and data-driven, with coordinated collaboration across airline partners, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), airport authorities, and private sector tourism stakeholders. Targeted destination marketing campaigns, curated competitive tourism products, consistent high service standards, and a streamlined, welcoming arrival experience at Grantley Adams International Airport will be prioritized to fully capitalize on the expanded capacity, particularly in the UK market, which ranks as Barbados’ second largest source of international visitors.
British Airways has maintained uninterrupted operations to Barbados since April 1, 1954, marking a 70-plus year partnership rooted in deep historical ties between the UK and its former Caribbean colony. Cumberbatch noted that the airline’s latest multi-million dollar investment in expanded routes is a clear vote of confidence in Barbados’ reputation as a top-tier, established global tourism destination, and a testament to the strength of the decades-long bilateral aviation and tourism partnership. The expanded route network will also deliver improved one-stop connectivity for transcontinental travelers originating from continental Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and other global markets that connect through London’s major airport hubs, further elevating Barbados’ global accessibility and market reach.
To fully leverage the new year-round airlift capacity and reduce historic over-reliance on traditional peak winter travel windows, Barbados will lean into its robust calendar of signature year-round events to drive off-peak summer demand. These flagship offerings include the Barbados Food and Rum Festival, Barbados Open Water Festival, Run Barbados marathon and Wellness Weekend, the island’s 60th independence anniversary celebrations, the fifth anniversary commemorations of Barbados’ transition to a republic, as well as summer staples Crop Over and Dive Fest. Cumberbatch framed these events not as one-off entertainment activities, but as strategic policy tools to drive destination development, diversify source markets, boost grassroots community participation, and generate consistent economic activity across all 12 months of the year.
BTMI Chief Product Development Officer Marsha Alleyne joined Cumberbatch to welcome passengers, flight crew, and returning visitors arriving on the inaugural Gatwick service, noting that the restored route strengthens long-standing people-to-people ties between Barbados and the UK, and lowers barriers for first-time travelers to discover the island’s unique cultural, culinary and natural offerings. Government officials stressed that all tourism growth unlocked by the expanded air service will be paired with strict sustainable development guardrails, including responsible natural resource management, rigorous environmental stewardship, continuous tourism product upgrades, and targeted visitor experience improvements, to ensure the sector’s growth is inclusive, commercially viable, and delivers lasting benefits for both current and future generations of Barbadians. -
Sammy warns Windies not to underestimate Bangladesh
Ahead of Wednesday’s highly anticipated opening Test against Bangladesh at Mirpur’s Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, West Indies men’s Test head coach Daren Sammy has issued a clear, no-nonsense warning to his playing group to dismiss any complacency toward the home side, who have built a formidable reputation as a tough opponent to beat on their domestic turf.
Drawing on decades of elite cricket experience, including his tenure as a former West Indies Test captain, Sammy noted that the visiting side holds full respect for Bangladesh’s recent run of strong performances across the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, while emphasizing that his own squad has also delivered consistent, high-quality cricket through 2025. He recalled that when the current WTC campaign kicked off, the West Indies setup set realistic, measurable targets for themselves, and they have stayed firmly on track to hit those milestones ever since. The upcoming two-Test bilateral series against Bangladesh, he explained, presents a golden final chance to lock in the exact finishing position in the 2025 WTC standings that the team mapped out as their core goal at the start of the cycle.
“Our approach never changes: we respect every opposition we face, we do deep, granular scouting work to identify their strengths and weaknesses, and we craft tailored game plans that give us the best possible shot at walking away with a win,” Sammy shared during a pre-series press conference. “I have full confidence this group can execute that game plan here. Pressure is a constant in top-level sport, just as it is in everyday life, but what separates successful teams from the rest is how you manage that pressure rather than letting it overwhelm you.”
Sammy, who has toured Bangladesh multiple times as both a player and a coaching staff member, spoke warmly of the longstanding, affectionate bond between local cricket fans and the West Indies side. “Bangladesh is a nation that has always welcomed me and every touring West Indies team with such incredible warmth and generosity. It’s no secret that the West Indies are many cricket fans’ second favorite team around the world, and that support is always a special feeling to carry onto the field.”
The veteran coach predicted that the upcoming two-match series would be a tightly fought, edge-of-the-seat contest, given the consistent quality of cricket both sides have produced throughout the 2025 calendar year. “When two teams are in such strong form, the side that manages to seize and hold onto momentum for longer across key sessions of play is almost always the one that comes out on top — and that’s exactly what we are here to do,” he said. He also pointed to the side’s recent competitive showing in their away series against India as proof of the renewed hunger, passion, and collective determination driving the current group of West Indies players to revitalize the region’s historic cricket legacy.
In a frank address to his squad, Sammy also laid out a dual, off-field incentive for every player to raise their individual performance levels: standout showings in this final WTC series will not only strengthen each cricketer’s personal contractual bargaining position, but also help attract new commercial sponsorship for the wider West Indies setup, at a time when Cricket West Indies is navigating significant long-term financial constraints.
Notably, the West Indies have not dropped a single Test series across the entire 2025 season to date, and Sammy has implored the entire playing group to lock in full focus over the remaining 10 days of WTC cricket left in the current cycle to cap their campaign on a high. “My message to every single guy in that dressing room is simple: leave nothing out on the field. There are no more second chances in this WTC cycle, so use whatever motivation works for you — personal pride, team legacy, the chance to earn new opportunities, whatever it is — to go out there and deliver your absolute best. This is not a team that relies on one single star player. We are obviously missing Shai Hope, one of our most consistent batters, but that absence creates a huge, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a young or underutilized player to step up, deliver a match-winning performance, and cement their name in West Indies cricket history,” he added.
Sammy closed by expressing his genuine excitement for the high-stakes series, noting that both sides have plenty to play for as the WTC cycle draws to a close. “I can’t think of a better way to wrap up this WTC campaign than going up against a Bangladesh side that has proven time and time again how unbelievably hard they are to beat at home, especially after the strong results they’ve notched up this cycle. We want to put on entertaining, attacking cricket for the fans who turn up to watch, but more than that, we want to make sure that when the final ball of the series is bowled, it’s the West Indies walking away with the victory.”
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PM remembers Peta Alleyne’s wit, humour and legacy
Following the passing of beloved veteran Barbadian entertainer, broadcaster and creative icon Peta Alleyne at the age of 65, Prime Minister Mia Mottley has released a full, deeply personal public statement honoring Alleyne’s decades of transformative contributions to Barbados’ cultural landscape.
Mottley opened her tribute by framing Alleyne as one of the foundational, familiar voices that are stitched into the very fabric of Barbadian domestic life, a presence so ubiquitous that even citizens who never met her felt a deep personal connection to her work. The Prime Minister shared a warm, lighthearted personal anecdote, recalling that Alleyne’s legendary sharp wit, masterful comedic timing and uncanny ability to capture the tiny, specific mannerisms of everyday Barbadians could make Mottley laugh openly even when Alleyne was doing a playful impression of her, turning the joke on Mottley herself alongside the rest of the audience.
Alleyne spent 30 years as a core cast member of Barbados’ iconic long-running comedy series *Laff-it-Off*, where her most famous character, the sharp, endearingly relatable Wilhelmina Herassofat, became a household name across the island. Mottley emphasized that Alleyne’s comedy was never just superficial humor: her carefully crafted characters held a mirror up to the small quirks, shared habits and gentle contradictions of daily Barbadian life, letting audiences see their neighbors, their family members, and even their own unrecognized traits reflected back at them through laughter. Behind the scenes, Alleyne was a deeply dedicated craftsperson, who understood the power of a well-timed pause, a subtle shift in tone or a perfectly chosen facial expression to elevate a story, a level of meticulous detail that spoke to her profound respect for both her art and her audience.
Beyond her stage work, Alleyne brought that same commanding stage presence and vocal skill to generations of viewers and listeners during her tenure at the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), and left a lasting legacy across Barbadian theatre and independent film, with notable credits including *How Hard the Times*, *Enid*, and her original script for the celebrated production *Dem Come a Calling*. Even in her later career, she continued to nurture emerging young talent in the new *Laff-it-Off* cast, while creating new written and recorded performance works for local audiences.
Mottley noted that Alleyne’s passing carries particular poignancy as Barbados prepares to mark its 60th anniversary of national independence and its fifth year as a sovereign republic, a moment when the nation is increasingly honoring the cultural architects who helped define a distinct, shared Barbadian national identity. On behalf of the entire Government and population of Barbados, Mottley extended deepest, heartfelt condolences to Alleyne’s son Ade, her extended family, her colleagues at CBC and the *Laff-it-Off* troupe, and her wide network of fellow artists and fans. Mottley closed the tribute by affirming that while Alleyne’s physical voice will be deeply missed by the nation, the joy, shared stories and warm sense of belonging she cultivated through her work will remain a permanent part of Barbadian culture for generations to come, and wished the late performer eternal peace.
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PM details $94m in support to ease cost-of-living pressures
During the Barbados Labour Party’s 87th Annual Conference held on a Saturday evening, Prime Minister Mia Mottley laid out a comprehensive suite of support initiatives the administration has deployed to shield local residents from cascading cost-of-living pressures fueled by global economic volatility, including elevated energy prices tied to ongoing geopolitical tensions in Iran. As documented by photographer Ricardo Roberts, Mottley addressed a packed audience of loyal party supporters and senior party officials to detail the full scope of relief efforts, which total approximately $94 million in combined public funding. The cornerstone of the support scheme, launched in April, is a $40 million direct cost-of-living cash credit program that has disbursed targeted payments to 57,985 vulnerable Barbadians, with eligibility limited to elderly pensioners, recipients of special needs disability grants, and households enrolled in national welfare schemes. To prevent sharp spikes in household utility bills, the government made the strategic decision to absorb 50% of recent fuel-driven electricity tariff hikes instead of passing the full cost burden directly to consumers, a move that has delivered roughly $11 million in indirect support to the Barbados Light & Power Company to keep service rates stable. Additional complementary measures include an extended value-added tax exemption for the first 250 kilowatt-hours of residential electricity consumption, and a $36 million allocation to the Barbados National Energy Company designed to cap and stabilise retail diesel and gasoline prices for private motorists as well as public transport operators. When combined with ongoing water bill subsidies and a suite of smaller targeted tax concessions, the cumulative value of all cost-of-living relief interventions reaches the $94 million mark, Mottley confirmed. Beyond immediate cost-of-living support, the prime minister also unveiled forward-looking regulatory reforms to strengthen financial security for local residents: new legislation that will extend national deposit insurance coverage to credit union members, a provision scheduled to formally take effect in January 2027. Once implemented, the new safeguards will cover more than 100,000 Barbados credit union account holders, protecting personal savings, dedicated education funds, and other deposited assets from unforeseen institutional risks. Mottley emphasized that the government’s ability to roll out these substantial relief and reform packages was made possible by years of consistent fiscal discipline and prudent public financial management, and she urged all Barbadian households to exercise careful, deliberate management of their personal budgets as the nation continues to navigate persistent global economic uncertainties.
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Kothdiwala to become youngest senator
During the Barbados Labour Party’s 87th Annual Conference held on a Saturday evening, Prime Minister Mia Mottley formally unveiled a landmark legislative appointment that will make history for the Caribbean island nation. Mottley confirmed she will submit a formal recommendation to Barbados’ President His Excellency to swear in newly qualified attorney-at-law Khaleel Kothdiwala to the national Senate, filling the soon-to-be-vacated seat of outgoing Senator Roshanna Trim, who has been selected for a key diplomatic posting focused on Barbadian diaspora engagement based in the United Kingdom. Once formalized, Kothdiwala will claim the title of the youngest senator to ever serve in Barbados’ parliamentary history. Mottley took a moment during her party conference address to praise outgoing Senator Trim for her exceptional track record of public service in the upper chamber, noting that the government fully supports her career pivot to diplomatic work, and that creating pathways for ambitious young public servants to pursue new professional growth opportunities is a core priority of the administration. Moments after the public announcement made waves among party attendees, Kothdiwala sat down for an exclusive interview with local outlet Barbados TODAY to share his reaction to the unprecedented appointment. “I cannot put into words how deeply humbled and honored I am that the Prime Minister has placed her full confidence in me to step into this role of national service,” he told reporters. He referenced prior public discussion around similar youth-focused Senate appointments in past years, noting that he does not take the rare opportunity for granted. As a recent entrant to the legal profession who identifies strongly with the priorities and lived realities of Barbados’ younger generation, Kothdiwala outlined that he intends to draw directly on his personal and professional lived experiences to draft legislation, advocate for underrepresented demographic groups, and deliver tangible, meaningful progress that advances the country’s broader national development goals. “As someone tasked with the heavy responsibility of helping shape the laws that govern every Barbadian, the public will always be my ultimate judge,” he explained. “I promise to bring my full effort, every day, to deliver contributions that earn the public’s trust and favorable judgment over the course of my term.”
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Luxury, culture and sunshine fuel Barbados’ winter appeal
Barbados, the gem of the southern Caribbean, is emerging as a leading top-tier destination for the 2026 winter travel season, according to a new analysis from global travel industry publication Travel And Tour World. The island’s diverse geographic offerings span the serene, turquoise sheltered bays of Carlisle Bay, famed for its gentle swimming conditions and frequent sea turtle sightings, to the rugged, wind-swept Atlantic coast of Bathsheba, a world-renowned hub for surfers and nature photographers alike. Adding a rich cultural layer to its natural allure, the capital city of Bridgetown and its adjacent Historic Garrison hold prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site status, granting visitors immersive access to Barbados’ layered colonial and post-independence history, and a tangible connection to the island’s distinct national identity. As the globally recognized birthplace of rum, Barbados leverages its decades-long legacy of distillation to curate a one-of-a-kind culinary and beverage landscape, ranging from no-frills, community-focused local rum shops serving generations of residents and visitors, vibrant street food stalls dishing out Bajan classics like flying fish and cou-cou, to award-winning fine-dining establishments that blend local flavors with international gastronomic techniques. The island’s robust, purpose-built tourism ecosystem is cited as a core competitive edge: its accommodation portfolio spans ultra-luxury five-star resorts, intimate boutique beachfront properties, dedicated wellness retreats focused on holistic health and tropical healing, and a wide array of family-friendly attractions designed to cater to travelers of all age groups. This diverse offering is further supported by well-established, frequent international airlift routes from North America, Europe and neighboring Caribbean islands, plus a mature network of visitor services that ensure smooth, hassle-free travel experiences for arriving guests. Anup Kumar Keshan, Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Editor-in-Chief of Travel And Tour World, emphasized that Barbados’ unmatched market advantage stems from its ability to deliver a fully integrated, end-to-end holiday experience that no competing regional destination can match. “The island’s unique strength comes from its seamless fusion of upscale luxury, living cultural heritage, outdoor adventure opportunities, and unfiltered, authentic local interactions, all packaged into one cohesive, unforgettable travel journey,” Keshan explained. He noted that the broader Caribbean winter travel segment has grown increasingly crowded and competitive in recent years, with peer destinations including Saint Lucia, Aruba, Curaçao, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica all vying for a larger share of global tourist arrivals. Even amid this intense landscape, destinations that prioritize crafting distinct, memorable experiences rather than generic sun-and-sand packages will continue to capture the lion’s share of traveler attention. “Barbados’ rare ability to balance laid-back, restorative relaxation with meaningful, discovery-driven exploration makes it a clear standout choice for travelers planning their 2026 winter getaways,” Keshan added. “This trend makes clear that the future of island tourism is no longer defined solely by the location a visitor travels to, but by the lasting, personal memories they get to take home with them.” The report also highlights iconic local landmarks that anchor Barbados’ tourism appeal, including the limestone formations of Animal Flower Cave and Harrison’s Cave, the historic Old Spirit Bond Mall in central Bridgetown, the vibrantly colored traditional residential homes scattered across the island’s countryside, and the well-preserved colonial architecture of St Nicholas Abbey Great House, one of the oldest surviving sugar plantation estates in the Caribbean.
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International Chef Wandile Mabaso brings a taste of South Africa to Liquid Gold Feast
Renowned award-winning South African chef Wandile Mabaso is set to headline a standout showcase at the 2026 Barbados Food and Rum Festival, scheduled to run from November 5 to 8, on the Caribbean island widely celebrated as the region’s culinary capital. Timed to align with Barbados’ dual milestone that month: 60 years of national independence and five years of status as a republic, Mabaso’s curated dining experience will center the deep, often undercelebrated African culinary ties that bind Caribbean and African food traditions, turning shared history into a vivid, multi-sensory feast.
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Barbados ‘to open export packhouse’ as distillery inaugurates Kendal Farm
During a landmark ceremony marking the official takeover of Barbados’ iconic 17th-century Kendal Plantation by French-owned spirits producer West Indies Rum Distillery (a subsidiary of Stade’s), Agriculture Minister Dr. Shantal Munro-Knight announced on Friday that a state-of-the-art export packhouse will launch across the island in the coming weeks, in partnership with national trade agency Export Barbados, to unlock unprecedented global market access for local agricultural producers. The long-celebrated Kendal Estate, first established in 1648 — just eight years after sugarcane was initially introduced to Barbados — carries deep cultural and historical roots woven into the island’s national folklore, and forms the core of Stade’s new integrated model that unites commercial farming, cutting-edge agronomic research, time-honored rum production, and heritage spirit maturation on a single contiguous site. The event gathered cross-sector stakeholders including senior government officials, agricultural sector leaders, local business partners, international media outlets, and the distillery’s entire on-site operational team, with attendees including St John constituency MP Charles Griffith, Stade’s owner and master blender Alexandre Gabriel, managing director Andrew Hassell, farm controller Jason Gibson, and the full Kendal operations cohort. During his keynote address tracing the estate’s 375-year history, Hassell cited archival records linking Kendal to prominent colonial-era figures such as Thomas Modyford and the Kendall family, who controlled 470 acres of the property by 1680, alongside references to Richard Ligon’s seminal 1657 text *A True and Exact History of the Island of Barbados* that documented the island’s earliest sugar cultivation systems. He also referenced the enduring local legend of Inkle and Yarico, honored with a site monument unveiled in 2015, and the legacy of Adam Waterman, the enslaved Barbadian stonemason who led reconstruction of St John’s Parish Church following the catastrophic 1831 hurricane, as well as the groundbreaking 1859 discovery by agronomist John Redman Bovell that sugarcane could be propagated from seeds — a breakthrough that cemented Barbados’ global reputation as a world-leading sugarcane breeding hub. While acknowledging the estate’s layered past, Hassell framed Kendal’s legacy as one defined far more by collective Barbadian ingenuity, cross-generational achievement, and 375 years of continuous sugarcane stewardship than the trauma of the chattel slavery system that dominated much of the island’s early modern history. For his part, master blender Gabriel emphasized that despite the distillery’s global footprint — exporting award-winning spirits to 121 countries and recently earning top international manufacturing industry honors — centering local community collaboration remains the non-negotiable core of its operational mission. He paid special tribute to long-tenured distillery staff, including veteran craftsman Digger Anderson whose family has maintained ties to the rum production facility spanning 92 years, and detailed the multi-year, thousands-of-hours manual restoration of an authentic 1780s copper still completed in partnership with master coppersmiths and coopers. Gabriel further highlighted how the fusion of traditional local agricultural practices and modern production techniques, such as integrating homegrown Barbadian coconuts into the brand’s award-winning Cut & Dry coconut rum, creates a distinct, authentic product that carries the unique identity of Barbados to global consumers. In her formal address, Dr. Munro-Knight lauded the 10-year continuous investment Stade’s has made in Barbados, particularly its climate-hardened production infrastructure engineered to withstand category 5 hurricanes, as a model of the island’s signature resilience and innovative spirit. She outlined that the upcoming export packhouse forms a key component of the national agricultural strategy designed to empower small local growers, reduce post-harvest loss, and streamline compliance with international food safety standards for cross-border shipments. The minister stressed that investing in the upskilling of local agricultural workers, rather than only focusing on physical infrastructure, forms the fundamental pillar of a sustainable, intergenerational agricultural sector that can help small island developing states navigate the growing complexities of the global trade landscape, while preserving traditional craftsmanship such as historic rum vatting arts for future generations.
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Academics challenged to take research beyond campus
During the long-awaited return of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) in-person Graduate Symposium last Friday, hosted at the V. Eudine Barriteau Complex, FSS Dean and distinguished economics professor Troy Lorde laid out a clear call to action for tenured faculty, established academics, and early-career graduate researchers alike: step beyond the campus boundaries to embed specialized knowledge in Barbados’ broader community discourse. The landmark symposium marks the faculty’s first in-person iteration in roughly 15 years, after decades of the event running annually before most research dissemination activities shifted to virtual formats. The 2024 gathering featured 10 graduate presenters showcasing rigorous, locally rooted work spanning topics from economic alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to community-level climate adaptation strategies, to understudied risk factors for national social support programs. Lorde framed the FSS’s core institutional mandate as serving as the collective conscience of the entire university, emphasizing that scholars bear a non-negotiable responsibility to contribute evidence-based insights to public debate and actively shape national policy conversations rather than limiting their work to academic circles. “It is our collective mantle to speak unvarnished truth to power,” Lorde stated, pushing back against widespread public perceptions that UWI operates as an isolated, ivory tower institution disconnected from the daily realities of Barbadian communities. He acknowledged that such critiques hold tangible merit, noting that most faculty events and research outputs are currently hosted exclusively on campus, often only accessible to pre-existing academic audiences rather than the general public. To bridge this gap, Lorde offered actionable guidance for early-career researchers, encouraging them to build confidence to share their perspectives even in spaces populated by senior, high-status stakeholders, and to leverage accessible public platforms including local newspaper opinion letters, community town halls, and mainstream media appearances to disseminate their growing expertise. He emphasized that expanding intentional, off-campus engagement would gradually dismantle the longstanding “up on the Hill, never coming down” narrative that has created unnecessary distance between the university and the communities it was founded to serve. The event also featured remarks from Deputy Dean of Postgraduate Affairs and Research Dr. Nadini Persaud, with Lorde noting that reviving the in-person symposium was a deliberate priority to nurture a supportive, collaborative ecosystem for budding researchers, giving them the rare opportunity to present their work in a formal setting, receive targeted constructive feedback from peers and senior supervisors, and build professional networks that will sustain their careers long after graduation.