Bridgetown courts tour operators at Connect Barbados as 'Tourism 3.0' investment expands

Global tour operators gathered in Barbados for Connect Barbados 2026 reported strong booking interest, as the government advances Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s “Tourism 3.0” strategy of expanded airlift, nearly US$1 billion in new hotel projects, and a “New Deal” for tourism workers. Officials are also moving to measure tourism’s direct economic impact for the first time. With US arrivals now surpassing UK visitors, the island is pushing for a nonstop Los Angeles route. For the Bajan diaspora and returning workers, the pipeline points to sustained hospitality and construction hiring through 2027.

Source: Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (cbc.bb); Barbados Today.