The Covid-19 pandemic has restricted travel worldwide. Countries such as Barbados where tourism is the main industry has struggled tremendously. The travel restrictions led to closure of hotels, restaurants and other heavily tourist dependent sectors. Despite high unemployment, the steep drop-off in the number of tourists arriving into the country and loss of revenue, some resorts continue to keep their doors closed to locals.
Barbados relies heavily on tourism for foreign exchange earnings. According to Naitram.S research, “The impact is already significant, with heightened unemployment, and significant social dislocation. A November 2020 reopening of tourism is predicted to lead to a 16% decline in GDP in 2020, and a 15% recovery in 2021. The unemployment rate, which has already exceeded the 10% last measured, is predicted to average 21% in 2020 and 13% in 2021.”
The pandemic has forced persons to come up with alternatives, so they can stay open. This has given life to #wevacationwherewelive. 2020 has been labelled the year of staycations. A staycation is when you take a vacation (could be one day) and utilize the hotel and villa facilities at a special rate given to locals.
(photo taken from Staycation Barbados)
Imagine trying to book a villa in November 2020, only to hear, “I am sorry, but we do not cater to locals, however if by that time and we do not get anyone we would call you.” Even during a pandemic Barbadians are treated less than worthy.
to June 29th, 2020 when The Boatyard launched an advertisement on social media opening their doors to locals. Over the years locals have reported horrible treatment at that establishment only to have those reports fall on deaf ears. In all their previous advertisements it was clear they cater to a certain demographic and it was not the black Barbadian. Barbadians took to social media and exercised their democracy by letting their voices be heard. Comments such as “Before it was clear and unapologetic locals are not welcomed, now they offer the same deal but must expressly say locals welcomed…” The significant backlash led not only to the removal of The Boatyard’s advertisement, but the removal of the business’ pages from all its social media accounts.
If you go into google and search for ‘discrimination within tourism in Barbados’, you would be surprised at the number of stories dating back decades. In 2018, I attempted to rent a vehicle to drive around the island for my birthday. The rental company notified me they were advised by the insurance company not to rent certain vehicles to locals. I was flabbergasted. Now in 2020, guess who is being encouraged to rent those same vehicles? The very same locals. Second-class citizens in their own country.
Grammy award winner Tinie Tempah (real name Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu), a 32-year-old of Nigerian descent, accused Sandy Lane security guards of “racial profiling”. This went viral giving Barbados, a tourist destination, a bad name. Minister of Tourism in Barbados Lisa Cummins, recently responded to questions raised on social media by stating we have a zero tolerance for discrimination here.
There should be legislation in place to give our locals the sense of being wanted. It should be mandatory for hotels and tourist attractions to provide discounts available year-round to locals, not just out of season when you cannot fill the rooms and seats with tourists.
The Ministry of Tourism needs to do some investigation on how locals who wish to be tourists in their own country are treated. Fair Trade Commission needs to get involved in cases where there is discrimination against locals.
It is time every Barbadian feels the pride behind hashtags such as #ilivewhereyouvacation. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising; we can only talk about what we experience ourselves. Come on Barbados, do better.
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