Bridgetown.
Cullture should be used as one of Barbados' competitive marketing tools since sea, sun and sand alone are not sustainable attractions for any tourist destination.
Canadian High Commissioner to Barbados, Richard Hanley, made this suggestion during a recent courtesy call on Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley, at the Ministry's headquarters at Sky Mall, Haggatt Hall, St. Michael.
"The island's vibrant cultural activities are a real plus," Mr. Hanley said, adding that the UNESCO World Heritage Property – Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison, St. Nicholas Abbey and several other heritage buildings had international appeal.
Minister Lashley told the High Commissioner that the Inscription of the Historic Bridgetown Property had generated more interest for Barbados, and, that culture was identified as a sector which would help to enhance the economy.
Acknowledging that Canada had numerous World Heritage Sites, Mr. Lashley said Barbados was keen on learning from Canada, not only how to manage and sustain such sites, but also the best ways to help local entrepreneurs and the wider society benefit from the site.
He also pointed out that cultural expressions included indigenous cuisine, adding that Barbados was seeking to penetrate the Canadian markets with its cultural food products.
In turn, the Canadian envoy agreed that this was a promising form of cultural exchange, and noted that Canada had funded a local Black Belly Sheep project.
The officials also discussed the prospects of museum development for Barbados, sports training and ground locations cooperation, as well as matters related to the youth.
