BRIDGETOWN — Barbados is building on strong Canadian momentum with a 16% boost in air capacity, new flights and a rapidly expanding hotel scene that includes new all-inclusive, luxury and villa options.
The lucky 56 travel advisors and other trade partners taking part in BTMI Canada’s 2026 Barbados Mega FAM heard all about it. The group flew back to Canada yesterday buzzing from the FAM’s immersive experience of the island’s culture, culinary heritage, and attractions, plus those all-important lift and hotel updates.
Under sunny skies for nearly the entire stay, advisors had the opportunity to network with some 40 suppliers, and connect with one another. There were resort tours, only-in-Barbados activities and experiences, and a gala complete with awards of excellence. The FAM, hosted by Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) and now its second year, aims to strengthen global partnerships and inspire agents to promote Barbados as a leading Caribbean destination to their markets.
CANADA & BARBADOS: CLOSE TIES
“The ties between Barbados and Canada are nothing new: 300 years ago, Canadian ships were already transporting molasses and fish from the island,” said Gooding-Edghill, Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport, during an info-packed presentation on the first morning of the FAM.
Following the country’s independence in 1966, Canada even contributed to the construction of Bridgetown’s airport.
Minister Gooding-Edghill highlighted the success of Barbados’ partnership with Air Canada, which dates back to 1949 and represents the airline’s longest-standing Caribbean service, dating back to its predecessor, Trans-Canada Air Lines.
The upcoming season is already looking promising from an airlift perspective: capacity from Canada will increase by 16% compared with last year.
Beginning in December, a new seasonal Air Transat flight will connect Montreal with Barbados, while Air Canada’s service on the same route will begin earlier this month, on Oct. 26, and will become year-round starting in spring 2027.
Also in December, Air Canada will increase Toronto service to eight flights per week, while a new weekly nonstop flight between Halifax and Barbados is also scheduled to begin.
Among the award winners were Marville Travel (represented by Colin Gold), Maritime Travel (Fawna Assman), VMB Holiday Experiences (Valentina Rotimi), Rose Rizzo, TravelOnly (Robert Rizzo) and Anita Hynes Giguère, Voyages Le Village Hudson (Michelle Girouard)
MORE CHOICE
During the presentation, expertly hosted by the highly charismatic Darrio Prescod, BTMI’s Business Development Officer in Toronto, one word came up repeatedly: choice.
“Barbados really is a destination that offers a lot of choice, at every level: air connectivity, experiences, attractions, restaurants, hotels, cruises, nightlife, encounters with Barbadians,” he said.
Prescod took advisors through each coast of the island, highlighting their unique character: the West Coast, elegant and relaxed; the South Coast, lively and energetic; the East Coast, dramatic and unspoiled; and the North Coast, serene and restorative.
“Again, you’re spoiled for choice,” Prescod said. “There’s something for everyone: beach lovers, foodies, culture and history buffs, wellness travellers, active travellers and more.”
To help advisors navigate all those options, Eusi Skeete, Director of BTMI Canada reminded advisors that BTMI has a wide range of tools available and encouraged them to make full use of them, including reaching out directly to the organization.
“Too often, advisors don’t realize just how much we can help them guide their clients,” said Skeete.
BTMI Toronto’s Darrio Prescod (left) with Tania Martin, Blue Sky Luxury and Eusi Skeete, Director, BTMI Canada
MORE ALL-INCLUSIVES
“Traditionally, all-inclusives haven’t really been our thing, but that’s changing,” said Prescod.
Nearly one-quarter of Barbados’ hotel inventory is now made up of all-inclusive properties, and that share continues to grow.
Among the resorts offering the format are the island’s two neighbouring Sandals resorts, the newly opened Royalton Vessence, Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lords Castle, The Sands and the charming Tamarind, which reopened in May and is now part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection.
Next year, a 380-room family-friendly Hyatt Ziva all-inclusive will open at Carlisle Bay, while in 2028, the island’s first Beaches resort, with 600 rooms, is slated to open in Heywoods.
A perennial favourite for Barbados visitors, Mount Gay Rum Distillery
Outside the all-inclusive segment, Barbados’ hotel inventory continues to expand.
This year saw the openings of Indigo Barbados and Blue Monkey Hotel & Beach Club, while next year the Pendry Hotel is set to debut with 80 upscale beachfront rooms and suites, as well as a marina.
At the end of the presentation, Tania Martin of Blue Sky Luxury reminded advisors that villa rentals are too often overlooked in Barbados.
“It really is the destination’s best-kept secret, especially for multigenerational travel,” she said. “Once you get to a certain number of guests, I don’t even understand why people go to a hotel. There are so many more advantages to renting a villa.
“In some cases, even couples prefer a villa to a hotel. They want more space, and above all, they want to feel at home.”
IS BARBADOS EXPENSIVE?
Barbados may not be Cuba, but it isn’t St. Barth’s either.
Skeete’s message on the subject was clear: “People deserve experiences that make them feel good, that allow them to treat themselves.”
He added: “Today, travellers don’t just want a sun destination with beaches. They want to go somewhere where they can have experiences they can talk about, and that their friends will want to hear about.”
Over the course of the five-day Mega FAM, advisors took part in all kinds of experiences, including a visit to Mount Gay Distillery, the world’s oldest continuously operating rum distillery; a catamaran excursion with snorkelling; island tours by 4×4 and coach; and an intimate meal in the home of a Barbadian couple through a new experience called Dine with a Bajan, which is already proving highly successful.
Food is also one of the reasons travellers come back to Barbados, which proudly promotes itself as the culinary capital of the Caribbean. Advisors had the chance to put that claim to the test during the gala evening at Sandals.
Bridgetown, Barbados
A GALA WORTH CELEBRATING
On Friday night, a gala evening recognized Barbados’ top Canadian sellers with an elegant cocktail reception, gourmet dinner and musical performances, including one by singer Nikita, who had everyone on the dance floor by the end of the evening.
Ryan Forde, CEO, Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, who highlighted the important role advisors have played in the destination’s tourism performance in recent years.
“We Barbadians consider ourselves extraordinary people, but in travel, we would be nothing if we didn’t add travel advisors to the equation,” said Forde.
Before the awards presentation, BTMI CEO Andrea Franklin also thanked advisors for their support.
“We’re truly delighted to celebrate the return of the Mega Fam, especially as the Canadian market continues to grow, Canadians tend to stay longer with us and their presence helps the destination evolve,” she said.
Franklin also proudly highlighted the launch last month of the destination’s new Barbados Remembers Your Name campaign, which celebrates Barbados’ strong repeat visitor market.
The island has a long tradition of welcoming returning travellers. Its Loyal Visitors Club recognizes those who have stayed in Barbados at least 25 times, and it now has no fewer than 500 registered members.
“Let’s continue working hard together so that more Canadians come to Barbados, enjoy experiences, take memories home with them and share those stories so they inspire other Canadians to visit Barbados,” said Franklin.
The 2026 Mega FAM award recipients included …
Champion of Barbados
Valentina Rotimi, VMB Holiday Experiences, Toronto
Special Recognition Award
Marville Travel, Toronto
Represented by Colin Gold
Barbados Top Producer Award, Canada
Rose Rizzo, TravelOnly, Ontario
Represented by Robert Rizzo
Barbados Top Producer Award, Ontario
Rose Rizzo, TravelOnly, Ontario
Represented by Robert Rizzo
Barbados Top Producer Award, Quebec
Anita Hynes Giguère, Voyages Le Village Hudson, Montreal
Represented by Michelle Girouard
Barbados Top Producer Award, Western Canada
Fawna Assman, Maritime Travel, Toronto
Barbados Top Producer Award, Eastern Canada
Patricia Melanson, Expedia CruiseShipCenters, Dartmouth, NS
More information about travel to Barbados can be found at VisitBarbados.org.
Lead image caption: Robert Rizzo receives the award for Barbados Top Producer Award, Canada, on behalf of Rose Rizzo, TravelOnly, Ontario; Darrio Prescod, BTMI’s Business Development Officer in Toronto, leads an info-packed session early in the FAM; Travel advisors celebrate wins at the FAM’s awards gala (all photos courtesy Gary Lawrence)
