There’s nothing quite like sticking your toes in soft, pink sand as you look out at the crystal clear water of the Caribbean. And now, Barbados is considering letting visitors do it for a whole year. Some may dare say, the ultimate work from home destination. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley said the country is considering a 12-month “Barbados Welcome Stamp” that would allow tourists to spend extended time in paradise, working remotely.
“COVID-19 has presented tremendous challenges to those countries that are tourism and travel dependent and we have reached a position where we recognize that part of the challenge relates to short term travel,” Mottley said, according to the Barbados Government Information Service. “So, if we can have a mechanism that allows people who want to…take advantage of being in a different part of the world, of the sun, sea and sand, and … a stable society; one that functions well, then Barbados is a perfect place for you to come.”
“Travelers might initially come because of our beautiful beaches; but then, they quickly realize it’s the warmth of our people and wide variety of experiences that make travelers want to come back year-after-year. So many people already view the island as a second home.”
– Eusi Skeete, the director USA at Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.
Barbados reopened to international travel on July 12
Barbados reopened for tourism on July 12, becoming one of several countries that will welcome U.S. tourists this summer. Like Belize, visitors to the island are encouraged to take a COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to departure and bring the results with them. Starting July 15, results can be uploaded to an online Embarkation/Disembarkation form.
JetBlue expected to begin flights at the end of July; American Airlines to resume flights in the beginning of August. The island reopened retailers, parks, and restaurants on June 1, and expanded that to all businesses on June 15. Restrictions on beaches have also been eliminated.
