Preparation of a Tourism Master Plan for Barbados 2012-2021

1.    The Government of Barbados has taken the decision to develop a policy framework, plan and strategy, which will guide and provide specific prescriptions for the future growth and development of the tourism industry in Barbados over the ten (10) year period 2012-2021 in the form of a Tourism Master Plan (TMP). The policy and planning framework will ensure that the tourism industry grows in a manner that is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable and thus able to meet the future needs of Barbadians, visitors, investors and other stakeholders.

2.    Barbados is a mature tourism destination largely of the beach resort type, with most of the tourism related facilities and infrastructure concentrated on the south and west coasts. While there has been broad and ad hoc planning of tourism developments over the years, there has never been a holistic approach to tourism planning at the national level.  If Barbados does not take a conscious and planned approach to the development of its tourism industry, which influences and is influenced by the island’s natural marine and land environment; infrastructure and built environment; pattern of land use; distinctive social culture and heritage; quality of service; quality of human resources; public tourism awareness, linkages between tourism and other sectors and the overall economic and social needs of Barbadians and visitors, the country is very likely to suffer a long run a decline in the economic benefits from tourism.

3.     Careful and comprehensive planning is therefore essential to ensure that resources are managed wisely, so that optimum benefits are obtained not only in the present, but also that the tourism assets are available for future harvesting by succeeding generations. This responsibility largely falls to Government, working symbiotically and synergistically with private stakeholders, both domestic and external.

4.    The TMP is expected to produce financially viable and environmentally sound tourism policies, strategies, projects and programmes for the Barbados tourism sector.  It should also provide a balance between economic benefits, the Government’s national objectives, the interests of private tourism stakeholders and the host population at large.

5.    The TMP will focus on major policies and strategies; and development plans and programmes in relation to:

(i)    infrastructural and product development;

(ii)    the physical environment, including land use patterns and the carrying capacity of the destination;

(iii)    transportation systems and infrastructure needs, both  external to and within the destination;

(iv)    the legal, regulatory and institutional framework in relation to the environmental, social and economic dimensions of tourism development;

(v)    human resource planning, development, education and training;

(vi)    the framework and systems for tourism marketing, promotion and communications, including tourist information services and information technology structures, including e-commerce;

(vii)    private and public sector cooperation and coordination within the hospitality and tourism industry; and

(viii)    the development of inter-sectoral linkages between tourism and other economic sectors.