The Adrian Loveridge Column – Anticipating the Repercussions OF THE US Presidential Elections
Adrian Loveridge
It seems almost incredulous to think that within a week or so of this column going to press, that the seeming eternity of the United States Presidential election campaign will all be over and the waiting world will know the results and begin to understand any repercussions that it may bring.
While not wanting in any way to interfere with the internal politics of another sovereign country, I just cannot fully comprehend and accept that this is a model of democracy that we should all be aspiring to. Of course, endless speculation is a dangerous pastime, but those of us involved in tourism cannot help to at least try and understand the possible implications for our industry.
Our tourism planners and policy makers have done what can only be described as a remarkable job increasing airlift to Barbados out of the United States and whatever the election outcome, the entire industry must work together to protect and sustain this additional capacity.
As we rapidly approach the peak winter season it is easy to be swept along in the belief that our American guests visiting us during that time are less price sensitive. That may be true for some, but in sheer numbers the vast majority of our US visitors are still looking for value-for-money and more affordable accommodation.
Like it or not, for the traditional hoteliers, companies like Airbnb and Home-Away have changed what has been accepted as ‘normal’ lodging requirements for decades and until this is fully accepted, there is a danger that ‘we; may not fully capitalise on this growing market. With an almost limitless choice of destinations, we have to find ever more effective ways of spreading awareness and giving reasons why prospective travellers should choose us above other holiday spots.
And within the industry there has to be a better understanding of revenue control. I still find it difficult to accept why a hotel would want empty rooms, a restaurant with vacant tables and a car hire company having vehicles parked-up in a garage, when there are so many creative ways out there to ensure that this does not happen frequently.
Perhaps in some cases there has been an over reliance on ensuring tour operators fulfill these objectives and complacency sets in. Certainly in the hotel sector many of the larger groups have recognised the critical importance of revenue control and it is no longer unusual to see they offer the lowest rates online for direct bookings, therefore eliminating, or at least, reducing tour operator margins and increasing the overall net room rate.
One example during the current Restaurant Week Barbados, is being told that many of the non-participating eateries were only serving six to eight persons for the entire evening, when the cost of joining the initiative was zero and the exposure through social and print media was massive, including full page ‘ads’ appearing on the highest circulation days.
While it is a matter of judgment for every individual owner, it is difficult not to think of the saying ’you can take horses to water, but cannot make them drink’.
Barbados Underground 
if trump wins a lot of bajans wont want to take a trip back home in case they arent allowed back in to the states
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Lawson
What are you saying? Do you believe that “a lot of bajans” now residing in the US are illegal? Or are you one of these clowns who believes Trump is some racist monster, who will cleanse the US of black people?
Just remember, Hillary is the one who supported Barry Goldwater. Goldwater did not believe blacks should have a right to sleep in a hotel or eat in a restaurant unless that is what the owner wanted.
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THE TEA YOU DRINK
As you take your sip of tea
Whether it be Liptons or Tetley
Have you ever wonder
The origin of its flavor
You may not be so alarmed
‘cause it came from Assam
Or shocked at this shameful horrible story
Of the Teas of P G Tips, Twinings or Tetley
Grown chiefly near the banks of the Brahmaputra
It’s the largest tea producing plantations of India
In an ideal of 96.8 º (F) temperature
Giving it its malty taste and bright colour

Often sold as sometimes Irish Breakfast Tea
Or Black, or White or Green tea variety
These teas, as shocking as was Slavery
Has oodles of baggages of chicanery
Your tea time may be your bliss
And you may reject tea after this
From whence it came
They showed no shame
If its from India behold
Its a horrible story untold
If its from the Assam estates of Assam
Where the living condition is a sham
The Giant Assam supply tea to the company
Of PG Tips, Liptons, Twinings and Tetley
The manager described conditions as a No No
And so did Lady Sarah Roberts the big CEO
She said workers conditions as not acceptable
But did nothing which is damn deplorable
What they meant was that the estate
Of 740 homes couldn’t accommodate
Workers to relieve themselves in 464 toilets
After filling millions of back breaking baskets
Many families when they get the rushes
Just defecate amongst the tea bushes
Sanitation amidst toilets blocked and broken
With over flowing cesspits more than a token
And on some estates even child labour are used.
For managements’ behaviour left workers obtused
So next time when its tea time around four pm
Remember the pickers and the plight of them
Think of where and why it tastes so refreshing
Write to those who are doing your legislating
It isn’t from the fresh air of Assam of the greedy plantation owners
But maybe its from the excreta from the abused wretched workers.
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Like it or not, for the traditional hoteliers, companies like Airbnb and Home-Away have changed what has been accepted as ‘normal’ lodging requirements for decades and until this is fully accepted, there is a danger that ‘we; may not fully capitalise on this growing market. With an almost limitless choice of destinations, we have to find ever more effective ways of spreading awareness and giving reasons why prospective travellers should choose us above other holiday spots.
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Well said…….Tourism needs all hands on deck for it to further impact our community and once govt does not kill it with taxes our economy should see good returns as well as seeing more interest in keeping the country beautifull.
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Re Lawson’s post.
I think whichever one wins it will be an uphill task to retain any concessions the region might have got from previous Republican and Democratic administrations. Getting new ones will be a struggle for any of the two. A Trump administration will probably bring in chaotic change focused on a selfish Fortress America and a Clinton one will attempt to institute changes that will be more inward looking. Both administrations will be fought tooth and nail by their opponents and there will be little progress re. true global humanitarian goals.
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@lawson “if trump wins a lot of bajans wont want to take a trip back home in case they arent allowed back in to the states”
More likely that they can’t get back into Barbados! Better worry more about whose gonna replace Stuart.
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All the information about the performance of tourism up to Q3.
2016 Tourism Executive Summary Q3
2016 Expenditure Summary Q3
2016 BTMI Press Statement Q3
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This could be good for Barbados Tourism if it results to cheaper fares.
“Allowing foreign companies to take increased ownership stakes in Canadian passenger airlines will make air travel cheaper for consumers and help to spur more competition, federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau says.”
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/canada-to-boost-foreign-ownership-cap-in-airlines-to-49/article32656455/
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Maybe garneau can get that 25 dollar per bag taken off the flight the price of fuel has been down a long time now
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