BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The Barbados Tourism Authority has entered into a formal arrangement for the American Automobile Association rating to become the national standard for the local accommodation sector.
AAA (read Triple A) is the agency that legitimizes those coveted diamond ratings among hotels the world over.
Speaking during the recently held quarterly meeting of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, chairman of the BTA, Peter Odle, stated, "Our alliance with Triple A will be another strategy to ensure that Barbados is equally represented among other destinations."
The BTA's corporate affairs and quality assurance manager, Gerald Cozier, who has lead responsibility for the implementation of the program, affirmed the international rating has earned the support of our local hoteliers. He also said it was in keeping with the vision of the BTA's president and CEO, Stuart Layne, for Barbados to become a truly world-class destination.
He also emphasized that the Authority has a mandate, by law, to ensure that all hotels are appropriately licensed and registered.
Cozier added that the new accreditation program would be outworked in phases, first for hotels and eventually, for other accommodation facilities.
"In continuation of the work they (AAA) have already started, they will deal only with hotels for the first year of the program. Then in 2008 they will rate hotels and apartments, and later down villas will be included."
The island of Barbados offers the most authentic Caribbean experience with its exceptionally rich culture and history rooted in remarkable landscapes ranging from rolling waves on the Atlantic to those gently lapping the Caribbean coast. It 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 2007 Cricket Finals and the 2006 PGA 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 growing number of U.S. cities via Air Jamaica, American Airlines, Delta and US Airways, making Barbados the true gateway to the Eastern Caribbean. The island's official website is www.visitbarbados.org. For more information, contact the Barbados Tourism Authority at 1.800.221.9831.
Barbados Tourism Authority