Barbados is weaving social sustainability into its broader tourism and development strategy by putting Bajan culture at the center. The aim is to strengthen cultural identity, empower communities, and highlight what the country stands for through authentic, locally rooted experiences.

Key initiatives supporting this effort include:

• Encouraging community-driven tourism, where visitors can take part in volunteer activities such as coral restoration, turtle rescue, marine conservation, and community planting projects.
• Reclaiming abandoned railway networks for public use—enabling cycling, hiking, and jogging routes that benefit both residents and visitors.
• Emphasizing Bajan culture in national tourism planning, with a focus on poverty reduction through skill-building and job creation, while safeguarding ancestral knowledge and traditions.
• Partnering with cruise lines to employ more local talent, supporting job creation and providing staffing solutions for cruise operators post-pandemic.

Inclusiveness:
To ensure more equitable distribution of tourism benefits, Barbados is developing the Bajan Treasures Collection, launching in phases from late 2023. This initiative promotes low-season travel and involves small enterprises across the island, helping build a resilient tourism economy through consistent income, stronger SME capacity, and improved marketing access for smaller actors.

Green Energy Transition:
As an import-dependent island with limited oil reserves and agricultural land, Barbados faces high costs for food and energy. The nation is committed to becoming the first carbon-neutral island state by 2030, guided by the Barbados National Energy Policy. Key priorities include:

• Expanding the use of electric and hybrid vehicles for greener mobility.
• Improving energy efficiency through appliance standards and phasing out inefficient lighting.
• Providing financial incentives for decarbonisation, including grants, loans, tax rebates, and duty exemptions.
• Eliminating fossil-fuel-based power generation and single-use plastics.

Other Initiatives:
Barbados is also working to ensure more tourism revenue stays within the local economy. The “Brands of Barbados” campaign promotes locally made products through “100% Bajan” and “Buy Bajan” labels—encouraging tourists to support local makers and enterprises during their visit.