Barbados, Venezuela move to boost visitor traffic with new tourism deal
Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and President Delcy Rodríguez reaffirmed the historical ties of friendship, fraternity, and cooperation that unite both nations. (Photo courtesy PMO)
Key Points(5)
- Barbados and Venezuela are moving to strengthen tourism and transportation links, with plans for a new bilateral tourism agreement, multi-destination travel packages and a direct maritime cargo route between the two countries.
- The initiatives were announced in a joint declaration following talks between Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez during Mottley’s visit to Venezuela on Monday.
- The two governments said a bilateral tourism agreement is expected to be signed in the coming weeks as they seek to increase visitor traffic between the countries and strengthen cooperation among tourism operators.
- Under the plans, Barbados and Venezuela will work to develop multi-destination tourism packages, conduct business matchmaking activities and promote shopping and wellness tourism.
- The agreement also calls for training opportunities involving universities and hotel schools and greater cooperation on tourism infrastructure designed to withstand extreme weather events.
Barbados and Venezuela are moving to strengthen tourism and transportation links, with plans for a new bilateral tourism agreement, multi-destination travel packages and a direct maritime cargo route between the two countries.
The initiatives were announced in a joint declaration following talks between Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez during Mottley’s visit to Venezuela on Monday.
The two governments said a bilateral tourism agreement is expected to be signed in the coming weeks as they seek to increase visitor traffic between the countries and strengthen cooperation among tourism operators.
Under the plans, Barbados and Venezuela will work to develop multi-destination tourism packages, conduct business matchmaking activities and promote shopping and wellness tourism.
The agreement also calls for training opportunities involving universities and hotel schools and greater cooperation on tourism infrastructure designed to withstand extreme weather events.
Barbados’ tourism minister is expected to make an official visit to Venezuela within the next four months to advance the sector’s work plan.
The countries also plan to hold their first Binational Tourism Meeting in 2027, bringing together tourism stakeholders to strengthen cooperation and integrate tour operator networks.
Familiarisation trips involving strategic stakeholders and specialised media professionals are also planned.
Transportation links are expected to form a major part of the expanded relationship.
Barbados and Venezuela said they intend to establish arrangements for commercial shipping services and open a direct maritime cargo route to facilitate the movement of goods.
The governments will also work to promote the Bridgetown-Porlamar-Caracas commercial air route and position the two countries as transit hubs connecting travellers with Europe and other international markets.
The declaration cited progress made through commercial air connectivity between the countries as a foundation for further tourism cooperation.
The transportation initiatives also include plans to harmonise arrangements for cargo transport and encourage greater commercial exchanges involving public- and private-sector entities.
Education and cultural exchanges are also set to expand under the bilateral partnership.
The countries agreed to introduce pilot scholarship programmes beginning in the 2027-28 academic year and pursue student exchanges covering Spanish and English language studies, music, arts, science and technology, public health, sports, hydrocarbons, agriculture and fisheries.
Language teacher exchanges are also expected to begin during the 2027-28 academic year, while officials will work toward an agreement for mutual recognition of educational qualifications.
The initiatives form part of a wider push by Bridgetown and Caracas to deepen bilateral relations following previous high-level talks held in Barbados in April.
