Barbados government earmarks money to develop rural tourism

Bridgetown._ Authorities in Barbados will set aside $300,000 to foster tourism in some of the Caribbean island’s rural areas.

Minister of Tourism Noel Lynch asserted that after a heated debate at the country’s General Assembly, the commencement of building projects for the localities of St. Joseph, St. Thomas, St. John –north of the capital- and Bridgetown itself finally won passage.

The initiative includes the refurbishment and enhancement of facilities scattered in all those districts with a view to draw visitors in and develop ecological tourism.

According to Mr. Lynch, painting a better picture of the entire territory as a tourist destination will help boost the national economy, and therefore improve living conditions for its more than 265,000 inhabitants.

Setting the record straight, Mr. Lynch said 507,000 people visited Barbados last year, a 6% decline as compared to 2000.

Revenues coming from the so-called leisure industry were dampened mainly in the second half of the year 2001 after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

After the attacks, the nation’s economy shrank as a result of losses endured in airlines and lodging sectors, a situation especially triggered by a fear to fly.