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Barbados removes all COVID-19 protovols

MIAMI – Last Thursday, the Government of Barbados announced its changes to the island’s travel entry protocols. Effective midnight, Thursday, September 22, 2022, Barbados  discontinued all COVID-19 related travel protocols. Therefore, there are no testing requirements to enter Barbados whether travelers are vaccinated or unvaccinated. In addition, the wearing of masks generally will now be optional. Mask wearing only remains mandatory for persons working in and visiting healthcare facilities, nursing homes, hospitals and senior citizens homes; persons traveling on public transportation;

MIAMI – Last Thursday, the Government of Barbados announced its changes to the island’s travel entry protocols. Effective midnight, Thursday, September 22, 2022, Barbados  discontinued all COVID-19 related travel protocols. Therefore, there are no testing requirements to enter Barbados whether travelers are vaccinated or unvaccinated.

In addition, the wearing of masks generally will now be optional. Mask wearing only remains mandatory for persons working in and visiting healthcare facilities, nursing homes, hospitals and senior citizens homes; persons traveling on public transportation; and for persons who are COVID-19 positive.

Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Sen. The Hon. Lisa Cummins stated that “This is the last step for us which reflects our position as fully open for business following the COVID-19 pandemic. We look forward to continuing to welcome visitors to our shores to experience all of the new and returning events slated for the rest of the year, and into early 2023,” she said.

Barbados to benefit from the largest ever TUI UK Winter 2022/23 program
On Friday, August 19, Lisa Cummins announced that TUI UK will increase flight capacity to Barbados for the Winter 2022/23 season, soaring above the levels of their last full Winter season to reach over 54,000 planned seats. Cummins noted that this extended program reconfirms TUI UK’s commitment to Barbados and underpins their confidence that Barbados is a key destination for UK holidaymakers.

“We are pleased with the news that TUI UK will increase their Barbados program for the 2022/23 winter season. From the additional flight capacity and extended schedule to the homeporting of two of their largest cruise ships, and new hotel partners, the sheer size of this expansion underpins TUI UK’s confidence in Barbados,” she said.

Increased Flight Capacity
TUI, who previously chartered seven flights per week to Barbados, has increased this to eight weekly flights to cater to the growing demand. Six of these weekly charter flights will depart from Birmingham, London Gatwick, and Manchester airports, as well as two ‘Rover’ flights which will depart from various UK airports weekly. The extra flights boost capacity above TUI UK's previous full Winter season, bringing total capacity to nearly 54,000 seats for Winter 2022/23.

Larger Cruise Ships and Extended Schedule for Winter
“For the Winter 2022/23 season, TUI has not only increased their presence in Barbados from one to two cruise ships, but to two of their largest cruise ships at that: Marella Explorer 2 and Marella Discovery,” Cummins said. “And what’s special is that this is not an air-to-sea charter, but has evolved to incorporate a dedicated land-based program for Barbados.”

And for the first time, both ships will homeport in Barbados and will operate a total of 40 sailing rotations until April 2023, adding a month of additional cruising to the previous season, which ended in March.

The Marella Explorer 2, with a capacity of 1,850 passengers, will operate weekly on Sundays, from November 20th to April 16th. The Marella Discovery will operate weekly on Thursdays from December 22nd to April 20th, with a capacity of 1,800 passengers.

Increased Barbadian Hotel Partners
TUI UK has also increased their number of hotel partners, now supporting the majority of Barbados A class and B class hotels. This will cater to the approximately 30 percent of their customers who will book their entire holiday in Barbados and those booking pre and post cruise.

Tremendous Growth with TUI Over 11 Years
Director of UK and Ireland for Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., Cheryl Carter, welcomed the announcement, saying “We are thrilled that this relationship which began in 2011, continues to flourish and we hope to continue to build on this by developing further opportunities in the future. We look forward to welcoming even more UK and Irish holidaymakers to our island through TUI UK.”

Carter added that since the inception of the program with TUI UK 11 years ago, Barbados has seen a 189% growth in cruise passengers. The program started in winter 2011/2012 with only one vessel and has now grown to incorporate a number of hotels and offer extensive pre and post cruise destination experiences in Barbados.

Cruise goers can discover the best of the Caribbean with a choice of six incredible TUI Cruise itineraries that start and finish in Barbados’ beautiful capital city of Bridgetown.

Co-Founder & Chief Editor - TravelDailyNews Media Network | Website | + Posts

Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.

She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.

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