ITTN’s Katie Doyle and Zoe Walsh attended The Bajan Safari Roadshow at Medly Dublin last night.
The night brought a taste of the Caribbean to Dublin with an evening dedicated to discovering the history, culture and future of Barbados. The event began with a warm and welcoming reception that showed us what Barbados hospitality is all about and the culinary heritage and new developments in tourism.
The reception was filled with agents and hotel representatives where agents got to learn more about the destination. Barbados is an independent nation that is now celebrating its fifth year as a republic the country continues to evolve as one of the Caribbean’s most exciting travel destinations. The country is filled with culture and tradition and the island is also expanding rapidly with new hotels experiences and improved connectivity making it more accessible than ever.
A very exciting development for Irish travellers is the announcement that from 31 March, Aer Lingus will operate direct flights from Dublin to Barbados opening up the island to even more visitors this is making Barbados an even convenient destination for the Irish.
One of the key messages shared was that travel has the power to turn people into storytellers. Throughout the evening agent had the opportunity to meet with hotel partners who travelled to Dublin for the roadshow. Among them was Dover Beach Hotel, a charming family-owned property known for offering a perfect blend of tranquillity and vibrant nightlife along the island’s lively south coast.Also present was Platinum Services, Intimate Hotels of Barbados a collection of 37 locally owned properties that provide excellent options for budget friendly travellers which is owned by Barbadians these hotels range in price and style. Coconut Court Beach Hotel hotel partner that was at the roadshow another beachfront hotel that has been family owned since 1975. Located on the south coast the hotel offers stunning ocean views from private balconies and prides itself on providing personalised and authentic Caribbean hospitality.
Agent representatives from the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association and The Hilton Barbados were also in attendance sharing insights into the island’s hospitality industry and the exciting developments currently taking place across the destination.
The evening kicked off with a presentation by Rhea Cox who had travelled from Barbados to showcase one of the island’s most famous traditions the making of the signature Caribbean cocktail, the Bajan Rum Punch highlighting the island’s r um heritage. Following the presentation, there was a traditional Caribbean dinner that show cased the flavours of Barbados. The meal began with a choice of Bajan chicken soup or pumpkin soup, both rich and comforting dishes deeply rooted in local cuisine.
For the main course there was a choice of sweet potato mash with herb-infused chicken and tomato salsa, or a vegetarian option of sweet potato mash with curry chickpeas, both reflecting the island’s vibrant and flavourful culinary style. Dessert was a highlight of the evening a deconstructed sorrel rum punch cheesecake. Renowned Barbadian chef Shanese Phoenix demonstrated how the dish was created sharing both her passion and expertise with the agents. Shanese, who has more than ten years of culinary experience, also received a silver award in 2019 for the “Taste” cookbook making it an standout demonstration.
The dinner was followed by a very insightful presentation which mentione the Barbados Elite Club. This is a loyalty and training programme designed specifically for travel agents. The rewards program allows agents to complete specialist training about the island and log bookings in order to earn points and rewards. These points can then be redeemed for vouchers, prizes and even familiarisation
trips to Barbados in doing this it is helping agents deepen their knowledge of the destination while rewarding them for promoting the island. Barbados was also highlighted as the culinary capital of the Caribbean offering a very large dining scene that ranges from local restaurants to world-class restaurants with exclusive bookings. Beyond the food the island is known for romance, culture and sport. Visitors can experience everything from water sports and golf to cricket which is a sport deep in the Barbadian life.
Several exciting sporting events are planned and have re opened now across the island in 2026. If you are looking for the relaxing island life Barbados is the island to be !! Barbados has maintained its natural charm as here are no skyscrapers just the coastline. Thei focus is on preserving its beautiful landscapes, marine life and beaches.
Sustainability and marine conservation are key priorities moving forward for them so that ensuring that Barbados environment remains protected for yearss to come. During the evening, Javon Griffith Chairman of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association provided an insight into the growth of the destination. He spoke about the expanding hospitality sector and the exciting number of new restaurants opening every month. One restaurant he highlighted was the iconic The Cliff, which is known as one of the most luxurious dining experiences in Barbados. Javon mentioned that although many hotels offer allinclusive packages he tries to encourage travellers to explore outside their resort and immerse themselves in the island’s food culture by going to local restaurants and experiences.
Barbados’ tourism infrastructure is also expanding rapidly. Several major hotel developments are underway, including the recently opened Hotel Indigo in Bridgetown along with new Hyatt and Marriott developments across the island. The Royalton Resort is expected to open in June 2027, followed by the highly anticipated Beaches Resort in 2028.The evening ended with a speech from Elan Mottley-Harris, Head of Barbados Tourism Marketing spoke passionately about the island and its future along with its strong relationship with the Irish travel trade. Agents were then invited to take part in an exciting prize draw with prizes ranging from Barbados goodie bags to an unbelievable three-night stay at the Hilton Barbados, followed by a song and dance to end the fantastic night.
The Bajan Safari Roadshow captured the true feel of Barbados it is an island that has culture, cuisine, romance and warm hospitality. There is definitely something for everyone on the island of Barbados.
