‘FALL TO BARBADOS’ FOR BIG SAVINGS ON FALL TRAVEL

TORONTO (July 26, 2010) – Looking for a great deal on autumn travel? Fall to Barbados is the perfect reason to escape to this lush Caribbean island – offering travelers a destination rich in history, culture, food, music, and a passion for living life to its fullest. Now through August 15, 2010, book an experiential Barbados vacation for travel between September 1 and December 18, 2010. The Fall to Barbados package is guaranteed to leave memories that last a lifetime, without breaking the bank. For more information and to book visit, www.visitbarbados.org.

This special package invites visitors to customize vacations directly with their travel agent, selecting options from a full range of the very best hotels, attractions and activities available on island. Fall to Barbados offers a truly unforgettable Caribbean experience at an exceptionally low rate, proving there has never been a better time to visit Barbados.

Visitors on the Fall to Barbados program can take advantage of the following:

Booking credit of up to CDN $300* per booking
Complimentary breakfast daily at participating EP Hotels
Buy one and get 2nd at 25% or more off at participating ground activities
One free day car rental on minimal 3-day rental
One Barbados Gourmet Card - 20% off at participating restaurants - per booking
*Per Booking Credit - $150, $200 or $300 (depending on hotel).

Further information on the 2010 Fall to Barbados package and a list of participating hotels, restaurants and attractions can be found at www.visitbarbados.org or by calling the Barbados Tourism Authority at 1(800) 268-9122. For reservations, consumers should contact their preferred travel agent.

Getting there:

Air Canada offers seven direct flights weekly from Toronto to Barbados and one direct flight a week from Montreal. Flights are on sale at www.aircanada.com.

WestJet has service to Barbados with five non-stop flights weekly from Toronto. Book online at www.westjet.com.

About Barbados
The island of Barbados offers the most authentic Caribbean experience with its exceptionally rich culture and history rooted in remarkable landscapes, including The Crane beach, St. Philips, voted one of the world’s sexiest beaches for 2008 by Concierge.com. Barbados is the first and only Zagat-rated Caribbean island with numerous internationally renowned chefs who masterfully put signature spins on local delicacies and traditions. Barbados is also an ideal stage for world-class events and has hosted numerous athletic championships, including the ICC Cricket World Cup Final 2007 and the 2006 PGA World Golf Championship-The Barbados World Cup. Accommodations range from picturesque plantation houses and villas to quaint bed and breakfasts to award-winning five-star resorts. The newly renovated Grantley Adams International Airport offers even more non-stop and direct service from a growing number of U.S. cities via newly-launched Jet Blue, American Airlines, Delta and US Airways, making Barbados the true gateway to the Eastern Caribbean. Barbados was voted #8 in the World by Trip Advisor’s ‘2008 Travelers Choice Destination Awards’ in its Top 100 Destinations category. Follow the Barbados beat and catch up on the latest news via the Barbados Facebook page at www.tinyurl.com/barbadosbeat and Twitter at www.twitter.com/barbadostourism. For more information on travel to Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org, or contact the Barbados Tourism Authority at 1.800.221.9831.

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Media contact:
Dagmara Grabowski
Weber Shandwick
(416) 642-7904
dgrabowski@webershandwick.com



BARBADOS PARTNERS WITH AMERICAN EXPRESS PUBLISHING’S TRAVEL + LEISURE, FOOD & WINE, DEPARTURES & EXECUTIVE TRAVEL TO ANNOUNCE LINE UP FOR FIRST ANNUAL BARBADOS FOOD & WINE AND RUM FESTIVAL
Celebrity Chefs Tom Colicchio, Marcus Samuelsson, Ming Tsai and Tim Love to Headline November Festival

Toronto, ON (May 24, 2010) – In partnership with Travel + Leisure, FOOD & WINE, Departures and Executive Travel magazines, the Barbados Tourism Authority today unveils November 19-22, 2010 as the dates for its first annual Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival. The four-day epicurean festival will feature culinary masters Tom Colicchio, Marcus Samuelsson, Ming Tsai and Tim Love who will travel to the Caribbean island of Barbados to provide first-hand cooking demonstrations and sessions for locals and visitors alike. Full festival details and travel packages to be announced in early June. For more information visit www.visitbarbados.org.

The culinary capital of the Caribbean and the only Caribbean island to be Zagat-rated, Barbados provides an ideal epicurean stop for the coveted Food & Wine festival which will be hosted by Travel + Leisure magazine’s Features Editor Niloufar Motamed and will have wine seminars curated by Ray Isle, FOOD & WINE wine editor and wine expert Anthony Giglio.
In addition, celebrity chef and head judge on Bravo’s hit reality cooking series “Top Chef” Tom Colicchio will be joined by culinary superstars Marcus Samuelsson, Ming Tsai and Tim Love, as well as local Barbadian culinary talent bringing their collective expertise to the masses through chef demonstrations, tasting events and interactive sessions.
“The Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival provides an ideal platform to showcase our island’s gastronomic excellence,” said David M. Rice, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Tourism Authority. “We are honored to partner with American Express Publishing and to welcome some of the industry’s leading chefs and wine experts to our beautiful island to participate in this world-class culinary event.”
The eastern-most of the Caribbean islands, and situated outside the traditional hurricane belt, Barbados was formed by the collision of the Atlantic crystal and Caribbean plates, which created a volcanic eruption to create this country of contrasts; from serene Caribbean waters and coral beaches for sunbathers and swimmers to an Atlantic coastline ideal for surfers and sailors. A truly authentic Caribbean destination, mixing European sophistication and culture with nature and heritage sites, culinary excellence, and romance, offering small and affordable guest houses, luxurious villas, all-inclusive resorts, family-friendly hotels, and boutique escapes – there is definitely something for everyone in Barbados.

About Barbados
The island of Barbados offers the most authentic Caribbean experience with its exceptionally rich culture and history rooted in remarkable landscapes, including The Crane beach, St. Philips, voted one of the world’s sexiest beaches for 2008 by Concierge.com. Barbados is the first and only Zagat-rated Caribbean island with numerous internationally renowned chefs who masterfully put signature spins on local delicacies and traditions. Barbados is also an ideal stage for world-class events and has hosted numerous athletic championships, including the ICC Cricket World Cup Final 2007 and the 2006 PGA World Golf Championship-The Barbados World Cup. Accommodations range from picturesque plantation houses and villas to quaint bed and breakfasts to award-winning five-star resorts. The newly renovated Grantley Adams International Airport offers non-stop and direct service from a Toronto daily on Air Canada and 9 times weekly in the winter and 2 flights weekly out of Montreal. WestJet commenced service November 2, 2009 with 5 flights weekly via Toronto. Barbados was voted #8 in the World by Trip Advisor’s ‘2008 Travelers Choice Destination Awards’ in its Top 100 Destinations category. Follow the Barbados Beat and catch up on the latest news via the Barbados Facebook page at www.tinyurl.com/barbadosbeat and Twitter at www.twitter.com/barbadostourism. For more information on travel to Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org.