A taste of Crop-Over

MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED BRITISH TRAVEL AGENTS got “into the skin of what Barbados is about” yesterday.
They paraded in the St Lawrence Gap, Christ Church “mini carnival” organised by the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA). The English revellers were decked in colourful costumes designed by themselves, with help from well known bandleader Gwyneth Squires.
Through the incentive promotion Gimme 5 And Fly, sponsored by British Airways, the agents were themselves rewarded with the Barbados tourism experience first-hand after selling “more than five packages to Barbados”.
As spectators watched from bars and restaurants, the agents danced to a number of calypsos and soca songs. But the agents did not brighten up the gap alone. They were accompanied by Barbadian revellers too, and folk characters who thrilled and fully entertained them.
Five sections were represented on the road: Flower Fauna, Sam Lord’s Castle, Coral Reef and Sunken Treasure.
Barbados Tourism Authority’s vice-president of marketing Petra Roach, who also jumped in the band, said the event was organised for the hardworking agents to experience a piece of Crop-Over.
“They got to see what part of carnival is, which means that they can go back and say to their clients, ‘Come down; Barbados has an amazing Kadooment’.
“These are our top 100 agents. So ultimately, in terms of the distribution in the marketplace, these travel agents are really important. Because they are [the] ones interfacing with the customers.”
Linda McEnrge who is from American Holidays travel agency in Ireland told the SUNDAY SUN she was “apprehensive about participating in the carnival”, but when she reached the road it was a different story.
“At first, I really didn’t want to do it, but as soon as I got here I loved it. I want to do it again. I can’t believe it’s over. I didn’t want it to end,” she said. (AH)