It would be very interesting to see Adrian Loveridge’s comment on the arrival figures quoted by Ralph Taylor, especially when he so passionately questioned similar data presented by the previous Tourism Minister and BTA board. Although I am not questioning the accuracy of these statistics, I would like, however, to see a breakdown of the figures. For example, how many of these visitors over the period in question were in transit, or came in to apply for US visas. All these arrivals, yet the taxi-men were complaining from last year, (Oh, tourist are probably travelling on the PSVs); hotels/guest houses saw no significant increase in occupancy levels. It is good strategy to present data in broad terms, but such data means nothing without the appropriate breakdown.

Are these not the kind of questions our journalists should be asking? As a matter of public imformation answers must be given.I do understand that recrimination serves no real purpose , but the fact remains that we were duped by the last minister whose facts and figures were shady at best, and the bitterness of Cricket World Cup is still regurgitated by all. We were told that we could expect a new beginning , so now expectant ones are thinking that out of accountability comes credibility and it can all start here with the relevant answers.

Regardless of why the Tourist figures are up, say thanks for the blessing because Barbados does not have much to sell to the rest of the world.

For the record, I know people who visited Barbados last year and are booked to go for March break.

Those of you who care about Barbados need to help make tourism work.

Yes David. He needs to explain the numbers although I expect the Government has a department that actually provides accurate statistics.

Politics aside, there should be no surprise when Tourists arrivals go up in January.
The majority of Tourist are in the words of the late great Bob Marley “coming in from the cold”.

Perhaps instead of spouting figures the BTA and Taylor should be focused on diversifying the Tourism product.

Tourist like thins to do when the sun goes down and I have been told that the night life in Barbados sucks.

An estimated 3.1 million Canucks visited Florida last year, up a whopping 16.2 per cent from 2009.

Last year, Mexico saw 1,460,418 Canadian tourists, up 19.4% from 2009.

I doan have to read an spell fuh wunna.

Nuff nuff Canadians travel bout last year ansome help to mek Barbados figures look good.

Here is the good news reported in the government’s mouthpiece.

http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?NewsID=15979

Numbers are not telling the whole truth.

Air uplift of cruise passengers in Barbados are being counted twice, once on arrival at Airport for transfer to the cruise ship and again when cruise ship docks in Barbados at the end of the cruise for transfer back to the airport. Also when any cruise ship arrives with say 3000 people Barbados counts them all as arrived on the island when in fact only about 20% actually depart the ship while it’s in port. This false count is inflating tourists arrivals and is meaningless to the economy.

@David
“Is it not reasonable for an inquiring public to opine that other information which is placed in the public domain by government can be questioned? Is this an ethical issue?”

All Government information both in and out of the public domain must be questioned ie; “how’s things going at CLICO etc.” Ethical and the Barbados Government, now there’s a can of worms to open!