Research Unit

Role

The ‘Green Paper on the Sustainable Development of Tourism' in Barbados states that one of the roles of Government for sustainable development to be realized, is to conduct the appropriate primary and secondary research on all aspects of tourism.  This research informs the Ministry of appropriate programmes and policies which should be implemented for the continued sustainable development of the Barbados tourism industry.

 

The main functions of the Research Unit are the collection, compilation, analysis and dissemination of tourism statistics.  In order to carry out these functions the Research Unit collaborates with public and private sector agencies such as the Barbados Statistical Service, the Barbados Immigration Department, the Barbados Tourism Authority, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation and the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association. The Unit also prepares a number of briefs on various tourism matters as required by the Ministry and other stakeholders.

The Staff of the Unit  

Currently there are five members of staff in the Research Unit:


Chief Research Officer - responsible for supervising the research functions of the Ministry and co-ordinating the annual work programme of the Department.

Senior Research Officer - responsible for conducting research on key areas of the industry.  Also prepares briefs and other documents as required by the Ministry.

Research Officer - responsible for preparing the annual stastical digest and analyzing key indicators as well as co-ordinating the preparation of monthly tourism statistics.

Statistical Assistant - responsible for preparing the monthly statistical report as well as assisting in the collection and compilation of tourism statistics.

Library Assistant - responsible for the operation of the Ministry's library including the acquisition and dissemination of tourism related information.     


Documents prepared by the Research Unit  

Some of the documents prepared by the Research Unit are for internal use only, however a number of documents are prepared which are distributed to tourism stakeholders and the wider public. These include:

• Annual Statistical Digest

• Monthly Statistical Report (raw data comes from Barbados Statistical Service)   

• The Barbados Stay-over and Barbados Cruise Passenger Surveys- these surveys are conducted by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation on behalf of the Ministry.
          

Current Research  

 Some of the research currently being undertaken by the Research Unit includes:   

 

• The development of a Master Plan for the Barbados Tourism Industry

• The effect of Air Passenger Duty on tourist arrivals to Barbados

• Examining the benefits of Medical and Health Tourism in Barbados  

• The Development of Sustainable Community Tourism   

 

 

Ministry of Tourism

"Encouraging Sustainable Tourism Development"