NEW YORK, NY (June 24, 2026)— The Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) successfully concluded a robust week of destination promotion during Caribbean Week in New York, reinforcing Barbados’ position as one of the Caribbean’s leading tourism destinations and strengthening engagement within its top source market, the United States.
Throughout Caribbean Week, BTMI hosted a series of strategic events designed to engage media, travel advisors, tourism stakeholders and consumers while showcasing the island’s world-renowned culinary scene, vibrant culture, and expanding tourism offerings. The week-long activation highlighted Barbados’ commitment to experiential tourism and authentic cultural connections while generating meaningful visibility for the destination across key audiences.
“Caribbean Week provides an invaluable platform to tell the Barbados story in one of our most important markets,” said Peter Mayers, Director, USA, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. “Through culinary experiences, cultural programming and strategic partnerships, we are able to bring the spirit of Barbados directly to our target audience while demonstrating the unique experiences that continue to drive visitation to our island.”
Culinary and Cultural Experiences Take Center Stage
The week began with an exclusive media dinner in partnership with acclaimed Ebi-Ayo Supper Club Founder Chef Tayo and Barbadian Chef Damian Leach. The Afro-Caribbean culinary collaboration showcased the cultural connections between Africa and the Caribbean through a specially curated dining experience complemented by bespoke cocktails from 2025 Barbados Mixologist of the Year, Alexander Chandler.
The partnership stemmed from Chef Tayo’s visit to Barbados during the 2025 Barbados Food and Rum Festival, underscoring the destination’s growing influence on the international culinary scene and the long-term value of immersive visitor experiences.
BTMI also hosted a private “Dine with a Bajan” luncheon for media and travel advisors, spotlighting one of the destination’s newest bookable tourism experiences. Led by husband-and-wife culinary hosts Robert and Jessica, the program offers visitors the opportunity to dine in intimate local settings while experiencing authentic Barbadian hospitality and cuisine.
Barbados Earns Top Culinary Honors
At the annual Rum & Rhythm Benefit, one of Caribbean Week’s marquee consumer events, Barbados earned People’s Choice honors for Best Culinary Destination among participating Caribbean destinations including Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Jamaica and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The event showcased the island’s culinary talent and cocktail culture while introducing attendees to the flavors that have helped establish Barbados as the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean. Guests enjoyed food and beverage tastings judged by both consumers and industry experts, while entertainment included performances from Barbadian DJ Jus Jay and Jamaican recording artist TeeJay.
Oistins in BK Returns for Second Successful Year
One of the week’s most anticipated events, Oistins in BK, returned for its second year, bringing the beloved Oistins Fish Fry experience from Barbados to Brooklyn.
Designed to celebrate Caribbean culture and connect with the Barbadian diaspora, the event generated more than 4,000 RSVPs.
Guests enjoyed authentic Caribbean and Bajan cuisine, rum tastings, handcrafted cocktails, live music, local vendors and cultural programming that recreated the energy and community spirit of one of Barbados’ most iconic weekly traditions.
Beyond cultural celebration, the event generated meaningful economic opportunities for local Caribbean-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs while strengthening connections between Barbados and its diaspora communities in New York.
Barbados Amplifies Culinary Tourism Through The Oxtail Off
BTMI further expanded its culinary tourism strategy through its partnership as the sole destination sponsor of The Oxtail Off, a multi-city culinary competition celebrating one of the Caribbean diaspora’s most beloved dishes.
Spanning Houston, Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York City, the tour provided Barbados with a national platform to showcase Barbadian cuisine and culinary talent. Chef Damian Leach represented Barbados during the New York finale, while the destination sponsored VIP culinary experiences and signature cocktail activations at each stop.
Barbados secured a first-place victory in Houston and second place in Atlanta, generating significant visibility among food enthusiasts and consumers across key U.S. markets. Winners from each city received trips to Barbados to experience the island’s iconic Crop Over Festival.
New Tourism Developments Position Barbados for Continued Growth
Barbados continues to build on its strong tourism momentum through significant investments in both hospitality and air connectivity. Recent hotel openings, including Hotel Indigo, Blue Monkey and Royalton Barbados, alongside the anticipated debut of Pendry Barbados, reflect growing confidence in the destination and an expanding portfolio of accommodations to meet increasing visitor demand.
Complementing this growth, JetBlue recently announced expanded service from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, adding two additional daily flights beginning June 18 through September 8 and bringing total service to three daily nonstop flights between New York and Barbados during the peak summer season. Together, these investments signal a positive outlook for the destination’s tourism industry and position Barbados to capitalize on growing interest from U.S. travelers, particularly as the island prepares to welcome visitors for Crop Over, its premier summer festival and one of the Caribbean’s most celebrated cultural events.
“The United States remains Barbados’ number one source market, and we are deeply grateful for the continued support of our tourism partners who help us connect more travelers to the island,” added Mayers. “We extend our sincere thanks to all of our partners, including JetBlue, whose expanded service further strengthens accessibility to Barbados. Strategic partnerships such as these are essential to supporting visitation growth and ensuring travelers can experience everything our destination has to offer.”
A Story of Friendship, Heritage and Healing
During Caribbean Week, BTMI also hosted special guests Candace Eng and Diana Prince, the viral best friends who gained traction from platform Besties NYC.
BTMI announced plans to host the ladies in Barbados in 2026 for their annual best friends’ getaway following Candace’s successful completion of cancer treatment and medical clearance. Their story resonated deeply throughout Caribbean Week, highlighting the emotional connections travelers form with destinations and the role Barbados continues to play in meaningful personal milestones.
“It was a privilege to meet Candace and Diana in person during Caribbean Week,” said Mayers. “Their friendship, resilience and optimism touched our entire team. Knowing that Barbados is woven into their story, from Diana’s Barbadian heritage to the island they have chosen for their annual getaways together, we are honored to help them continue this tradition in 2026. Barbados has always been a place where memories are made, and we look forward to welcoming them back for another special chapter in their journey.”
As Barbados continues to invest in new experiences, expanded air connectivity and strategic partnerships, Caribbean Week once again demonstrated the destination’s commitment to driving tourism growth while sharing the island’s rich culture, culinary excellence and warm hospitality with audiences across the United States.
