Director of BTMI Canada, Mr. Eusi Skeete (2nd right) poses with High Commissioner for Barbados to Canada, H.E. Gline Clarke (4th from right), Vice Consul of Diaspora Affairs, Ms. Mishcha Roberts (3rd from left), Vice Consul General, Mr. Kurt Haynes (4th from left), along with Mixologist Alex Chandler (left), Chef Javon Cummins (right) and BTMI Business Development Officers Mr. Darrio Prescod (2nd from left), Ms. Lisa Batson (centre) and Ms. Brita Greaves (3rd from right) at the Toronto Food and Drink Festival.
Barbados Takes Centre Stage at Toronto Food and Drink Festival
Island Nation Captivates Canadian Palates with Flavour, Flair, and a Taste of Paradise
Toronto, Canada, 24th March, 2025: Barbados made an unforgettable impression at the recent Toronto Food and Drink Festival, where the island’s rich culinary heritage and bold, contemporary flair captivated crowds and set foodies abuzz.
The Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) in collaboration with Export Barbados, brought the vibrant spirit of the island to life through a world-class culinary showcase led by two of the country’s most celebrated talents: award-winning Chef Javon Cummins and renowned Mixologist Alex Chandler.
Over the course of the three-day festival, held from April 11th to 13th, 2025, thousands of patrons were treated to a full sensory immersion in Bajan flavour. Chef Cummins served up artful bites that fused traditional Barbadian ingredients with global techniques. Meanwhile, Mixologist Alex Chandler dazzled with crafted cocktails rooted in island botanicals and showcasing the legendary, Barbadian made Mount Gay Rum, which turned each sip into an invitation to Barbados itself!
This activation aligned with BTMI’s overarching marketing strategy within the Canadian market, which seeks to position the island not just as a beach destination, but as a cultural and culinary capital.
“We’re seeing an incredible surge in demand for Barbados out of Canada, and food is proving to be one of the most compelling ways to connect with our audience,” said Eusi Skeete, Director for BTMI Canada. “Barbados is more than a vacation, it’s a lifestyle! The energy at this show was absolutely electric! We were thrilled to see so many guests expressing increased interest in getaways to Barbados and we received a very positive response to our exclusive offers in partnership with Canadian operator Redtag.ca. This is what happens when you blend cultural storytelling with strategic tourism promotions, it converts to bookings.”
To further drive travel intent, BTMI and Redtag.ca rolled out limited-time promotional packages throughout the event. These offers generated strong on-site interest, leading to a notable uptick in direct bookings with some of the island’s accommodation partners – a sign that key messaging regarding brand Barbados is resonating with the Canadian traveller.
One attendee of the festival, Mr. Santiago, shared, “We were planning to spend my mom’s 60th birthday and Mother’s Day in Arizona and after visiting the Barbados booth at the show, we changed our flights, rebooked our travel and will now be celebrating my mom in Barbados and we can’t wait to explore the island!”
In addition to culinary lovers, the BTMI activation attracted travel media and influencers eager to learn more about the island’s elevated food scene, bespoke hospitality, and year-round experiences.
Barbados’ presence at the Toronto Food and Drink Festival underscores a powerful truth: for Canadians seeking culture, cuisine, and connection—Barbados is not just a blip on the radar – it takes centre stage!
About Barbados
The island of Barbados is a Caribbean gem rich in cultural, heritage, sporting, culinary and eco experiences. It is surrounded by idyllic white sand beaches and is the only coral island in the Caribbean. With over 400 restaurants and eateries, Barbados is the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean and home to the Caribbean’s Best Culinary Festival, the Barbados Food and Rum Festival. The island is also known as the birthplace of rum, commercially producing and bottling the finest blends since the 1700s. The island also hosts events like the annual Crop Over Festival, where A-lists celebrities like our very own Rihanna are often spotted, and the annual Run Barbados Marathon, the largest marathon in the Caribbean. As the motorsport island, it is home to the leading circuit-racing facility in the English-speaking Caribbean. Known as a sustainable destination, Barbados won the Green Destinations Story Award for Environment and Climate in 2023 and was listed as one of the Best World Travel Destinations for 2025 by National Geographic. Accommodations on the island are wide and varied, ranging from picturesque private villas to quaint boutique hotels, cozy Airbnb’s, prestigious international chains and award-winning five-diamond resorts. Travelling to this paradise is a breeze as the Grantley Adams International Airport offers a variety of non-stop and direct services from growing U.S, U.K., Canadian, Caribbean, European, and Latin American gateways. Arriving by ship is also easy as Barbados is a marquee port with calls from the world’s best cruise and luxury liners. So, it’s about time that you Visit Barbados and experience all that this 166-square-mile isle has to offer.
For more information on travel to Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org, follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/VisitBarbados, and via Twitter @Barbados.
2025 marks an exciting year for the island with the yearlong We Gatherin’ campaign. It promises an extraordinary year of shared memories for Barbadians and visitors alike – fostering national pride and inspiring greater love for the island. For more information on We Gatherin’, including updates on exciting monthly activities in each parish, visit https://wegatherinbim.com.
Author: Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.
