The Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association is a not for profit private sector trade association and one of the largest non-governmental associations in Barbados. We exist to serve the interests of our diverse membership of over 300 tourism and non-tourism entities, both local and international.
Although we represent over 80% of the total accommodation room stock of the island, over 60% of our membership base consists of non-accommodation entities, including activities and attractions, airlines, restaurants, real estate agents, tour representatives, retailers, local and international trade and consumer press, advertising and public relations agencies, technology providers, consultants, and suppliers of goods and services, consultants, cruise service providers and tourism students.
Our primary goal is to facilitate the sustainable growth and development of our local tourism sector, to the benefit of our members, our country and the people of Barbados.
Together with our members and our global public and private sector strategic partners, we strive to ensure that Barbados achieves and maintains the status of the most desired Caribbean destination for pleasure and business.
To be the private sector organisation providing national leadership for vibrant and sustainable tourism development.
Bringing people, research knowledge and technology together to resolve challenges of business and to provide strong advocacy while fostering unity
Informed decision making and information that is based on research and geared for action
Work with world class standards ONLY
Resolve industry issues by engaging our partners
Respond promptly to members’ needs and changes in the industry
Build synergies through networking
Through our alliances with other regional and international agencies, our members benefit because of the strength of our unity and shared resources.
The BHTA has established international alliances with the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Marketing Inc., the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, the International Hotel & Restaurant Association, the Tourism Development Corporation (Barbados), the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. and the American Hotel & Lodging Association.
Informed decision making and information that is based on research and geared for action
Work with world class standards ONLY
Resolve industry issues by engaging our partners
Respond promptly to members’ needs and changes in the industry
Build synergies through networking
Through our alliances with other regional and international agencies, our members benefit because of the strength of our unity and shared resources.
The BHTA has established international alliances with the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Marketing Inc., the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, the International Hotel & Restaurant Association, the Tourism Development Corporation (Barbados), the Barbados Tourism Authority, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association.
In addition to several project committees, the BHTA represents it members on over sixty (60) board and committees including:
Boards
• Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI)
• Tourism Development Corporation (TDC)
• Intimate Hotels of Barbados Inc. (IHB)
• National Conservation Commission (NCC)
• National Insurance Corporation (NIS)
• Barbados Conference Services Limited (BCSL)
• Caribbean Society of Hotel Association Executives (CSHAE)
Committees
• Tourism Advisory Council
• Marketing and Product Development Committee (TDC)
• National Emergency Organisation Committee
• National Tourism Emergency Management Committee
• TVET Council
• Social Partnership Committee
• Barbados Private Sector Agency
For over 50 years, we have been actively involved in the establishment and facilitation of training opportunities, seminars, programmes and standards which constantly seek to improve the level of professionalism in the industry, and contribute to the sustainability of our present and future valuable workforce. Through our association with the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, our member consultants and other key service providers both local and international, we offer courses in Food and Beverage, HAACP, HIV/AIDS, Environmental management, Hurricane Preparedness and Customer Service among others.
We offer training at all levels, for both accommodation and non-accommodation sectors.
The BHTA is committed to the promotion of the importance and value of our local tourism industry to all Barbadians, to stimulate a perception of ownership. Barbados as a destination is renowned for the friendliness of our people, and we wish to maintain and highlight this asset. Through our community activities and educational programmes, working with schools, colleges and universities, we seek to educate all Barbadians of their role in the industry and to highlight the stellar contributions of those already in the industry. We believe that the future of our industry depends on this. Working together with our strategic partners, we promote programmes such as STEP, Adopt-A-School, Tourism Education Awareness & Me (TEAM), NIFCA, and the Barbados Culinary Team.
As the hub of a vast network of local, regional and international members, suppliers and strategic partners, the BHTA has as one of its major functions, the collection and dissemination of timely data and information. This assists us with achieving the mission and helps to keep our members at the cutting edge of the industry. This objective is achieved through the body’s own internal communications system which includes a weekly marketing blast and a monthly synopsis of key activities and discussion points (based on the last Board of Directors Meeting).
The BHTA has amassed a valuable database of decision makers from both within our membership, as well as our strategic partners, local, regional and international.
Marketing and product development are two of our main priorities at the BHTA, as we seek to facilitate opportunities that will enable our members to achieve their business objectives. We are very aware of the fact that Barbados, tourism product exists in a highly competitive, dynamic global tourism market. For us to maintain and gain market share, we need to constantly look at the development of our product to ensure the satisfaction of our customers and the attraction of new business to the destination. Our product includes the plant and its people, and our programmes are aimed towards their development as a prerequisite to our facilitation of marketing initiatives.
Our Board of Directors governs the policies of the organisation.
The 11 members include:
Our Committees or Project Teams each comprise a chairperson, deputy chairperson, and a number of individuals from among the membership who volunteer to work together to effectively and efficiently support the daily operations of the Association and to, through discussions and initiatives, assist the Secretariat in meeting the needs of our membership.
Our product club teams comprise of volunteers from among our membership along with key strategic partners who have a direct interest in the specific niche. Their mandate is to drive initiatives that will assist in the growth, development and marketing of key niche markets identified.
Follow this simple signup process to become a BHTA member and promote your business with us.
© The Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association 2025
