Winners' row. From left, Nicola Ward with her husband Brian Ward, owners of The Cliff Restaurant, builders Peter and Yvonne Hunte, and close friend Pierre Spenard, celebrating The Cliff's Top Food, Most Popular and Top Decor awards. (MG)

BARBADOS passed an American-based survey on its restaurants, nightlife, attractions and golf with flying colours.

The country came out top of the ratings with an "A" for its performance in the areas of service, decor, food, appeal and cost in the sectors surveyed by the top international survey, becoming the first and only Caribbean island to do so.

In fact, of the 169 such businesses surveyed through the Zagat 2007 Best of Barbados Guide, 163 rated high in the published survey, while six were excluded.

This was all unveiled last Saturday night during a launch at the Lion Castle Polo Club, St Thomas, hosted by the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA).

Minister of Tourism and International Transport Noel Lynch, officials from the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, the BTA, hoteliers and restaurateurs, and representatives from overseas hotel and tourism associations were present for the event.

Speaking during the unveiling, co-founder of the survey, Tim Zagat, said it would assist organisations in improving their overall performance.

"Barbados is well along the road of making itself the brand which it wants to be known by," he said.

Lynch said the survey placed Barbados in a special category that would enable the island to continue to push the concept of brand.

"Once the guide is launched, it will be done on an annual basis," he added. (JR-B)