In June, GOL Linha Aerea Inteligentes in association with the BHTA, BTA, Minister of Tourism Hon. Richard Sealy along with various other partners launched its inaugural flight to Barbados from Brazil. It now runs a weekly service direct from Sao Paulo to Barbados which is expected to increase current arrivals out of Brazil from a mere 500 on average annually to approximately 5000 within the first year of operation. In this era, where sustainability is a must, this new route is a thrust in the right direction to help diversify Barbados’ and by extension the Caribbean’s tourism product, especially in the light of the current declining arrivals out of Europe, one of our main suppliers.

The now shorter route, 6 hours down from the original 13 with a stop-over in Miami, offers limitless possibilities to businessmen, sports men and other travellers using GOL. It also affords the region easy access to one of the fastest growing global economies. More importantly though it can be the basis of a cultural exchange, essential to success in a globalized world.