Dear Sir or Madam:

With the breaking news of the Minister’s Tourism Report my thoughts seem a little late in coming, however, they are some that have been rolling around in my mind for approximately the past two years.  Being an avid fan/patron of cruise vacations, I have often found that there are very few ports that offer meaningful ways for cruise passengers to spend a few dollars.  Realistically speaking, there are many passengers who do not want to spend big money on expensive shore excursions because they have already spent a significant amount on their all-inclusive cruise vacation (especially if you just love cruising and have visited a particular port before).

For this reason, I see it necessary to offer the visitor something small, memorable and inexpensive; something for which they do not mind paying a few dollars to go away with a “Bajan flavour”.  If we can offer enough small bites, chances are they will go away with a belly full, and with the feeling that they received value for money.

I envisaged Bridgetown with an entertainment complex, located central to the Harbour Area, in close proximity to exiting cruise ship passengers.  The core could be an Amphitheatre type structure for performances;  and an outer interactive courtyard area with kiosks for food & beverage sampling, retail, information dissemination etc.  

The core complex could be covered or enclosed (protecting against inclement weather) and would host short entertainment packages; the frequency of which would depend on the number of ships in port.  The package would provide a sample of local music (spooge / calypso / folk), Kadooment Costumes and revelry, an encounter with the Bajan Dialect (to prepare them for what they may encounter around the island).  There could also be short appearances by Mudda Sally, Shaggy Bear & Stilt Walkers who would then be stationed in the Outer Courtyard mingling and taking photos with visitors.  A Small entrance fee could be charged $US10-15 per person.

The Outer Courtyard would be alive with hustle and bustle where visitors could move from Kiosk to Kiosk sampling local and West Indian cuisine: 2 fish cakes for US$1, sample sizes of Pudding & Souse (pork, chicken, conche …) with pickle green banana and breadfruit. Bite size dollop of Cou Cou & Sauce (flying fish, salt fish, liver …). In addition, visitors can engage in Rum Tasting, Banks Beer 4 for US$5 (they would sell out every time as alcohol on the ship is expensive).  We just need visitors to spend US$1 or $2 each time … it will add up.  Local Characters would mingle for photo opportunities Cropover Costumes, Mudda Sally, Shaggy Bear, Harbour Police or Zouave dress, Stilt Walkers etc

[NOTE: many times foreign cuisine can be so strange to the palate that we do not need a plateful until we can differentiate our likes and dislikes]

SOME BENEFITS:

Additional attraction for long stay hotel guests who can be shuttled down to the venue to help boost numbers.

Ideal promotion for the Cropover Festival

Fosters development of the local Entertainment Industry and the Arts, providing an outlet for live artists who are seeking a full-time career

Encourages visitor spend

Offers a prime selling opportunity for other tourism products that we have to offer: Time Share & property investment

Direct foreign exchange earner

Creates a more interesting Port Destination for Barbados

Creates entry level hospitality jobs or hospitality internship opportunities

Sincere Regards

Robin Harrison (Mr)