Connect Barbados 2025 marks the return of Barbados‘ leading B2B tourism event, after a five-year absence. From June 23 to 26, 2025, the Wyndham Grand Barbados Resort, Sam Lord’s Castle, becomes the epicenter of exchanges between travel professionals from around the world.
This flagship event, organized by Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI), brings together tour operators, travel agencies, local suppliers and international decision-makers from the UK, USA, Canada, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America.
The rebirth of an event after a five-year absence
An enforced break, a long-awaited return
After a hiatus due to the pandemic, Connect Barbados 2025 makes its grand return, generating palpable enthusiasm among players in the tourism sector. For Andrea Franklin, CEO of BTMI, “the return of Connect Barbados marks a decisive milestone for our island and for the global travel community that continues to support us”. This event is more than just a trade show: it’s a catalyst for growth, a meeting place and recognition for all those who make Barbados shine internationally.
Objectives for the 2025 edition
The aim of Connect Barbados 2025 is clear: to strengthen business ties, foster innovation and showcase the latest developments in Barbados’ tourism offering. Through targeted meetings and networking sessions, local and international professionals can explore new opportunities, while thanking the partners who contribute to the island’s economic success.
Connect Barbados 2025 program and highlights
Dates, venue and participants
From June 23 to 26, 2025, the Wyndham Grand Barbados Resort, Sam Lord’s Castle, welcomes nearly 400 participants from around the globe. Among them are representatives of major travel agencies, specialized media, local hoteliers and suppliers of tourism experiences.
Networking, B2B meetings and technical visits
Over the four days, Connect Barbados 2025 offers a dense and varied program of personalized B2B meetings, thematic workshops, technical visits and networking sessions. These activities enable professionals to forge strategic partnerships and discover the latest innovations in the sector.
The Connect Barbados Awards: celebrating excellence
After an absence since 2019, the Connect Barbados Awards are making a comeback. This ceremony rewards the media and commercial partners who have contributed most to promoting the destination internationally. It’s an opportunity to highlight the commitment and collaboration of all those involved in Barbadian tourism.
Gastronomy at the heart of the "From Street to Chic" experience
An authentic culinary journey
Connect Barbados 2025’s theme, “From Street to Chic: A Culinary Journey Awaits”, highlights the island’s gastronomic diversity. Participants will discover a palette of flavors ranging from small street stalls and traditional rum shops to fine dining establishments. This culinary immersion is designed to appeal to both discerning palates and lovers of authentic discoveries.
A wealth of local flavours
Barbados, nicknamed the “Culinary Capital of the Caribbean”, offers a unique gastronomic offering based on local produce: breadfruit, sweet potato, Black Belly mutton… Restaurateurs emphasize the freshness and authenticity of their dishes, while developing training programs for young chefs and bartenders to perpetuate this excellence.
Connect Barbados 2025: A showcase for emerging markets
Key markets: United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Europe, Caribbean, Latin America
Connect Barbados 2025 targets all major outbound markets, with a particular focus on Latin America. Barbados benefits from enhanced air connectivity, thanks in particular to Copa Airlines’ weekly flights from Panama, facilitating access for professionals and travelers in the region.
Focus on Latin America and the Gulf
The event also welcomes a delegation from the Gulf, a sign of the Middle Eastern markets’ growing interest in the destination. Andrea Franklin points out that “in the Gulf region, we are building on solid foundations to establish key partnerships in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, where demand for high-end travel experiences is exploding”. The aim is to tailor the offer to the specific expectations of these markets, by providing tailor-made experiences.
The added value of Connect Barbados 2025 for the tourism sector
Business opportunities and sustainable development
Connect Barbados 2025 is much more than a trade show: it’s a business and sustainable development gas pedal. Through meetings and exchanges, professionals can identify new trends, develop sustainable partnerships and innovate their tourism offering. Barbados is committed to diversifying its tourism revenues, focusing on the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) and customer experience segments.
The importance of partnerships and collaboration
The success of Connect Barbados 2025 relies on collaboration between the public and private sectors, as well as recognition from international partners. Speakers such as the Minister of Tourism and International Transport, lan Gooding-Edghill, and the CEO of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, Ryan Forde, emphasize the need to work together to consolidate Barbados’ position on the world stage.
Connect Barbados 2025 has established itself as the must-attend event for Caribbean tourism, bringing together professionals, partners and decision-makers around a shared ambition: to raise Barbados’ international profile. With its mix of business meetings, gastronomic immersion and celebration of excellence, this event marks a new era for the Barbadian tourism sector. Whether you’re a travel expert or simply curious, Connect Barbados 2025 invites you to discover a destination in the throes of change, where hospitality, innovation and local culture are the order of the day.
