Barbados sees 31% rise in GCC visitors

Strongest growth from UAE, Saudi and Oman

More travellers from the GCC are discovering Barbados in the Caribbean, with a 31% rise in visitors from the region in 2024, according to Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI).

The UAE was Barbados' largest source market, with visitors up 30%, followed by Saudi, up 36%. Barbados also saw visitors from Oman more than double, up 104%.

“The GCC continues to show strong potential as an emerging source market,” said Kyle C. Gittens, Director of Emerging Markets, BTMI.

“Travellers from this region are seeking unique, meaningful experiences and Barbados delivers on that promise, from immersive island culture to unmatched hospitality.”

One of the Caribbean’s most enduring and well-established destinations, Barbados has more than 80 beaches, but is also rich pickings for the culturally minded with its capital Bridgetown a Unesco World Heritage Site. Inland, visitors will find an array of adventures, from forest hiking trails to cave tours, ziplines to 4x4 safaris.

Known as the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean, the island has more than 400 restaurants and an array of accommodations to suit all budgets.

As a cruise hotspot, Barbados welcomed more than 704,000 tourists in 2024, according to the Barbados Statistical Service. Less than 13,000 of those from the regions of Africa, Asia, Oceania and Other Countries combined. The UK is the largest source market with more than 239,000 arrivals in 2024, accounting for 39% of the total.

Visit Barbados, the official tourism authority of the Caribbean island, made its debut at Arabian Travel Market 2023 and no doubt that will have positively impacted the 2024 arrivals. Visit Barbados has also partnered with Dubai-based Dnata Representation Services to attract GCC travellers.

While there are no direct flights from the GCC to Barbados, connections can be found in key gateways such as London, New York, Toronto and Amsterdam.

Known as a sustainable destination, Barbados was named one of the world’s Top Nature Destinations in 2022 by the Traveler’s Choice Awards.

For more information, visit www.visitbarbados.org

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