Open Jaw :: On The Town ::

Gail Stewart and Cheryl Carter of the Barbados Tourism Authority

Vinny Desousa and Jacqueline Tai of New Wave Travel with Penny Martin of TPI

Dawn Kirton from Bougainvillea with Ricky Goldman, repping the Palm Beach Hotel Group

with Martha Chapman
06APR09

The Bajans Are Coming! The Bajans Are Coming!

Well they came, they saw and they conquered: some 1,000 Canadian agents were wined, dined and charmed recently by a team of Barbadians (“Bajans,” as they’re affectionately known) on a whirlwind tour.

From Vancouver to Toronto via Calgary, Winnipeg (“they loved us!”) and Montreal, the team showcased all that is classy, charming and accessible on their island.

“We’ve enjoyed a full house in every city,” said Cheryl Carter, who heads up the Barbados Tourism Authority here in Canada. “And we’ve been so impressed with the calibre of the agents who have come out.”

Apart from getting up close and personal with the agents, the purpose of the tour was to launch the new Elite Club for agents and the Barbados Freedom Package, featuring a $400 US on-island debit card; a Gourmet Card with 25 per cent discount at selected restos; a free attractions passport providing buy-one-get-one-ticket-half-price; and more!

Since the Gourmet Card features some of the most famous restaurants on the island, I thought I’d conduct a completely unscientific poll to find out which restos the locals would recommend.

After pointing out that I would get her into trouble, Cheryl Carter admitted that she loves sushi, so Zen gets her vote (as does Tides for international cuisine). Dawn Kirton of Bougainvillea Beach Resort has a soft spot for Aqua (“beachfront with a contemporary feel”) while Walter Broomes of Maximum Success Marking favours The Cliff for those with a “huge budget”. Honourary Bajan Christopher Stubbs loves The Docks (“international and classy”) while Ricky Goldman chimed in with Leroy’s lunch truck which parks itself at Bougainvillea every day and dishes up the best of real local food to locals and visitors alike.

But the winner? I kept hearing Champers – which the snooty Zagat Guide says visitors have voted Barbados’ Most Popular Culinary Experience. Hmm…looks like we all need a visit to BGI soon just to confirm the research!