MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL WORKING SESSION Barbados Tourism Coordinating Sub-Committee on Strategic Optics Boardroom 3, Warrens (West Wing) 30 April 2026 — 10:15 AM
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:23 AM, eight minutes late, citing an unforeseen issue with the parking validation machine. The matter was referred to Sub-Committee 4(b).
2. APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from the Deputy Permanent Secretary, who was attending a separate working group on apologies.
3. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the previous meeting (23 April 2026) were tabled. A motion was raised that the previous meeting’s discussion of the Air Canada non-stop flight had been mischaracterised as “a development” when it was, in fact, “a positive development.” The amendment was accepted. The minutes were confirmed.
4. MATTERS ARISING
4.1 — Hydrological Drought Watch (carried over from 23 April): The Sub-Committee noted with concern that the Drought Watch remains in effect. It was agreed that the language in tourism collateral would be revised from “year-round sunshine” to “consistent climate.” Action: Communications Cell.
4.2 — Immigration Bill (Item raised by Member Greaves): Member Greaves observed that the new merit-based residency framework, tabled in Parliament yesterday, may “have implications for high-net-worth tourism conversion.” The Chair noted the comment and proposed that the Sub-Committee on Strategic Optics not opine on legislation introduced by another Ministry. The matter was deferred to a future session.
4.3 — Hurricane Melissa Recovery (carried over from 23 April): The Sub-Committee noted the National Housing Trust moratorium has now ended. It was further noted that this was “not a tourism matter, strictly speaking.” The matter was deferred to a future session.
5. NEW BUSINESS
5.1 — Proposed Tagline Refresh: The current tagline (“Everything is fine. Obviously.”) was tabled for review. Member Crichlow noted that the tagline appeared to have been “borrowed from a satirical website.” The Chair stated that the matter would be investigated. Action: Legal Sub-Group.
5.2 — King Charles III Visit (Hypothetical): A pre-emptive briefing paper was tabled in the event the King decides to extend his current New York trip to include Barbados. The paper was 47 pages long. The Sub-Committee thanked the Communications Cell for its thoroughness.
5.3 — ZR Driver Cultural Ambassador Programme: Member Springer raised the matter of a programme to formalise ZR drivers as “informal cultural ambassadors.” The Chair noted that ZR drivers “may not wish to be ambassadors.” The matter was deferred to a future session.
6. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The Chair raised the matter of the parking validation machine. It was agreed that Sub-Committee 4(b) would be reconstituted with a new mandate. A motion to adjourn was raised before the new mandate could be drafted.
7. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Wednesday, 7 May 2026. Same room. Same agenda, with appropriate amendments.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:47 PM.
Tourism Board Minutes is a satirical voice column. The Tourism Coordinating Sub-Committee on Strategic Optics is a fictional body. Any resemblance to actual sub-committees, working groups, or strategic optics is regrettable.