It was simply priceless. Breathtaking views, a picturesque landscape and inviting blue beaches which kissed white, sandy beaches.

It was a picture painted of paradise.

But to Barbadians, they were familiar sights.

It was indeed Barbados in all its splendour – beamed all across the world – when the climax of the popular ABC reality show The Bachelor was aired.

The Bachelor is about one man looking for love. He looks for the perfect choice among 25 women to whom he is initially introduced. In the end, it comes down to a choice of two, one of whom he proposes to.

Last Monday night 19 million people (12 million women) glued to the screen to see who Matt Grant [the bachelor] would propose to in the final rose ceremony which took place at the Barbados Hilton, were captivated by sights and scenes to promote this destination.

Barbados landed the deal for the filming of the show in January, a month after a scouting visit by its producers. At that time, local officials had to showcase all this country had to offer by way of activities, romantic settings, as well as services.

Averil Byer, director of marketing services at the Barbados Tourism Authority, told the SUNDAY SUN the choice for filming the show was between Barbados and Hawaii.

It was Barbados' attitude that put the country on top.

"The producers chose Barbados because they said everything works here and we had a 'can do' attitude. In addition, they said the infrastructure and product we had made it much easier", she said.

Byer, who managed this project, said the real work started when they had to prepare for Grant's three dates in Barbados.

She said the filming, which started in February, took about two and a half weeks.

Scenes included romantic dinner dates, a picnic scene at Harry Smith Beach in St Philip, an adventure trek, a swim with turtles, parasailing, as well as a helicopter ride.

Byer also noted the spin-off benefits to the show. "Everything is word of mouth because we did so well in facilitating that shoot it will get out that Barbados can be a filming destination," she said.

The marketing director did not only note the exposure of Barbados to the world, but the advertising value derived from it.

She said the estimated advertising value was $18.2 million dollars for both shows. Byer said that in the penultimate show Barbados was featured for 45 minutes, with each minute equivalent to an advertising spot worth $303 300.

In the final episode Barbados had 15 minutes' airtime.

Byer also said the contribution of the cast and crew to the local economy could not go unnoticed.

Marilyn Soper, general manager at the Hilton Hotel where two dinner dates were staged for The Bachelor, said they too were delighted to be featured in the show.

She said one of her biggest challenge was the confidentiality, noting that employees at the hotel were not even aware of what was going on.

Soper said one dinner was staged at the Old Forte, and the other on the beach.

"This was a high for the hotel but the confidentiality that was needed was a challenge, especially since we had a full house," she said.

The hotel head also said producers on their scout mission were impressed with the assistance they received at all levels.

"Everyone at every level went beyond the call of duty to make sure everything worked perfectly," she said.

Bajan Helicopters also had an important role to play in The Bachelor. They were responsible for flying Grant and one of his two dates, Chelsea, around the island.

Sales and marketing manager Trilicia Crawford said after a routine safety briefing the couple took to the skies for a spectacular view of Barbados' coastline.

The couple was airlifted to Harry Smith Beach in St Philip where they were shown frolicking and picnicking.

Crawford said: "Although we have done this before, we were very honoured and very proud to be involved. And all the viewing public got to see what Barbados had to offer".

The BTA director said there were also other spin-off benefits to the Barbados showing. She said there was an online Rose Ceremony Game on ABC.com which has a value tagged at $250 000, 11 million unique page views, and 320 000 page views of the Hilton Barbados property.

She also said: "When you touch people emotionally, you get them. People fell in love with Barbados."

l carolmartindale@nationnews.com