Above: downtown Bridgetown (CJ Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Barbados has not forgotten the potential of the African market for tourism, according to Tourism Minister Richard Sealy.

The Minister, who was speaking recently at the launch of the 8th African Diaspora Heritage Trail Conference, said Barbados is holding some “very preliminary discussions” with South African Airways about direct service to Barbados.

“It is not necessarily a priority focus at the moment, but we are not removed from the possibility that [it could be] a legitimate option,” he said.

“I think we have to look beyond our traditional source markets,” he said. “I’m not suggesting that we not continue our efforts to improve our arrivals from these markets, but we have to look beyond. And, certainly, the African continent cannot be ignored when one is planning.”

The Minister also said that highlighting the afro-centricity of Barbados’ heritage could help assist the development of cultural heritage tourism, which he said has become one of the fastest growing niches in the tourism industry.