We Gatherin’ Initiative Boosts Interest in Barbados, Calls for Closer Collaboration with Tourism Agencies and Diaspora - Insights from Barbados Deputy High Commissioner

The We Gatherin’ exercise is creating renewed and new interest in Barbados and assisting efforts in the country, but there is a knowledge gap which agencies including Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) and the National Cultural Foundation need to work more closely along with Barbados’ mission in the United Kingdom.

These are the observations of Deputy High Commissioner of Barbados in London Mackie Holder.

He was commenting after the second We Gatherin’ event by the Mission, the latter held in Reading, where most Barbadians in the United Kingdom (UK) live.

We Gatherin’ promotion in the UK was launched last year at the first Barbados Independence Gala, held in London. The first successful community session was held in early January at the High Commission.

Holder, who is responsible for diaspora affairs and who is leading the We Gatherin’ promotions in partnership with BTMI and, where possible, the local Barbados association, said there has been a fantastic response so far.

He reported extremely positive feedback following the Reading event, with the important outcomes of Barbadians asking for similar events to be held in their areas, including Swindon and Brent, and, significantly, people following up offering to partner on follow-up programmes to further engage communities.

The Reading event, dubbed For The Love Of Barbados was attended by Mayor of Reading, Glen Dennis; leader of Reading Borough Council, Liz Terry and her husband, former Mayor Alderman Tony Jones and Councillor Wendy Griffith, Battle Ward, a Barbadian. She was among those who is already working with the Mission to increase engagement.

Executed in partnership with the Barbados and Friends Association, Reading, (BAFA), the event ran from noon to 9 p.m. It included a passport clinic, various vendors and exhibitors, including one marketing Bajan products, including Ju-C and Shirley biscuits and condiments including the Landship brand, health pressure checks and there was an abundance of Bajan food by Dolphin’s on sale.

There were interviews with vendors and attendees, presentations by Holder and BTMI senior business development officer Stacey Hutchinson, video presentations on Barbados and St Peter, highlighting its history, and a quiz.

Two films by Barbadians, Camouflage and the Esthetics of Love, the former shot in Barbados by Jonathan Temple and the latter by Rodney Victor Wilkinson, were also shown.