Barbados

Barbados has the third oldest parliament in the world with 358 years of an uninterrupted parliamentary system of government. The island was granted independence in 1966 but retains the British monarch as its official head of state, represented by the Governor-General.

Research by The United Nations Development Index (1996) showed that visitors highlighted friendliness of Bajans as it´s greatest and most pleasing asset. This is reflected in a very high 39% return rate. The people of Barbados have a history of goodwill, a sound and free education system with an impressive literacy rate of 97%. Bajans are warm, friendly and hospitable people who are genuinely proud of their country and culture and welcome visitors as their privileged guests.

Most Bajans live in the area around the capital city of Bridgetown on the southwest coast, or along the west coast as far as Speightstown in the north and Oistins in the south. Others reside in tiny hamlets in the island's 11 parishes. This exclusive island retains a noticeable British atmosphere, with place names such as Worthing, Hastings and Brighton.

Barbados is the leading island destination in the Southern Caribbean for British, North American and European tourists. It is known for its well-trained, industrious people, its stable government, a wide range of accommodations and attractions and its fine coral-sand beaches.

The island is a mature Caribbean tourism destination. Large-scale tourism development dates back tothe late 50s and early 60s but colonial ties to Britain have made Barbados a popular destination for wealthy British nationals for many years leading up to World War II. The tourism product in Barbados is diverse and includes varied accommodation - hotel rooms, villas and guest houses, scores of restaurants and other food and beverage facilities. There are a wide range of nature attractions including caves and marine parks, historic sites, festivals, golf courses and a range of other activities.

By the end of 2003, the island had hosted over 1 million tourists, of whom 531,211 were stay-over visitors and 559,000 were cruise ship visitors. Accommodation for tourists is targeted to increase from approximately 7,250 rooms in 2003 to approximately 9,500 rooms by 2010. Over 70% of the country's foreign exchange is earned by the tourism sector. The business community is sophisticated, and the government is stable, so life here continues after the tourists pack up their sun oils and return home.

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