BARBADOS' TOURISM POT
will be sweetened when more British tourists escape here for
their ultimate Caribbean getaway.

According to Petra Roach, Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA) vice-president of marketing and sales for Europe, the acquisition
of luxury travel firm Elegant Resorts from British tour operator Thomas Cook would see more British visitors "winging"
their way to the island.

Although unable to give a likely percentage increase, Roach said there were no serious implications for the operations and there was room for future expansion.

Same management

"There are no serious implications, as the business will continue to operate under the present management at Elegant and not be integrated into the general Thomas Cook brand.

"However, Thomas Cook, being
a big concern, can inject further capital to expand the company," stressed Roach.

The BTA executive also gave her assurance that the transaction would not result in any job losses in Barbados.

Reports from England last month said that Thomas Cook acquired the company from founding shareholders Geoff Moss and Barbara Catchpole, but details of the sale were not disclosed.

Officials of the Elegant Hotels Group here said the company had no connection with the British firm.