2020 was filled with promise and plans, a year that was built on the theme of We Gatherin’. It was to be a year, filled with hundreds of outdoor activities, executed on a monthly basis in each parish in Barbados. Little did we know that the privilege of being outside gatherin’ would soon be taken from us. Almost instantaneously, a crippling disease swept the entire globe and literally put a stop to everything. Business stopped, while we remained in the confines of our homes, our busy streets and city centres became ghost towns - parks, malls and nightclubs were all empty. Covid-19 introduced itself to the world and it was not playing by any of the traditional rules!
The advent of COVID - 19, has meant that local and international businesses had to change the manner in which they operated in order to survive and that included continuing to work where applicable, remotely from home. Unfortunately, other businesses have not been so lucky, several businesses, (some of our favourites), have been forced to close their doors and local unemployment rates are now at an unprecedented level, pushing our island to the edge of economic peril. The frequency of flights has decreased and our beautiful white sandy beaches, world-renowned hotels and sought after Bajan hospitality is now only experienced by very few travellers.
However, all is not lost, as a testament to our Bajan fight and fortitude, we are working hard to ensure that this deadly virus will never kill our nation. Guided by this government's swift and decisive action and taking the necessary precautions, we were able to successfully avert a major medical catastrophe. But more is needed to positively impact our economy. With that, an opportunity to implement a program that speaks to the changing environment in which we do business was conceptualized. Its purpose, to leverage the wonderful attributes that make Barbados the ideal place - not only for vacations and leisure but also as a great place to work. The initiative? “The 12 Month Barbados Welcome Stamp”; an invitation to the world, to fully capitalise on the opportunities presented by the digital economy and to work remotely, from our wonderful island.
The new programme will provide eligible persons or their families with the ability to continue working on their own businesses remotely from our shores, for a maximum period of one year - with an option to renew if they so desire.
Launched on June 30th, the initiative has created waves of interest around the world with every major media outlet, newspaper, major news network and popular talk show effervescently chatting about the ingenious idea. Who wouldn't want to wake up like us? As we like to say, “We live where you vacation”... Instead, the new phase is now, “We live where you would like to work”.
The tremendous exposure that the island garnered from the launch of this programme is immeasurable, invaluable and simply priceless. The media attention gained world-wide was of huge benefit to the brand Barbados as a means of showcasing how we, as a tiny nation have adapted to the ever-changing way of doing things. Additionally, it cements
our reputation as a country of people that can manage its affairs effectively and efficiently even in the face of a pandemic, something that larger more developed nations are still struggling to achieve.
Along with the new exposure, the long-term financial gain could be substantial. Not only is the initial fee for the visa (US2000.00 for individuals and US3000.00 for families) a direct injection of cash into the economy, but, unlike our short stay visitors, we stand to benefit from the long term day to day spending of the remote worker. They are paid a foreign salary from their own international companies, which in turn will be spent right here in Barbados!
A year on the island calls for housing, vehicles, groceries & entertainment all of which will benefit our businesses and service providers. Stores, barbers, hair salons, restaurants, spas, tour operators, small businesses… all of us, we all stand to benefit from remote workers spending a year with us. Furthermore, we also stand to benefit from the structural and procedural improvements that have and will be made to ensure that the standards to which international workers are accustomed will now be matched or even surpassed, right here in Barbados!
This model of tourism elevates Barbados and the Barbados brand to that of a cultural hub, where persons from around the world are welcomed and can comfortably contribute to both their economy and to ours at the same time.
We already know that almost everyone who comes to our shores falls in love with our island. They always wish they had more time…We now are giving the great minds of the world that time! Imagine the positive impact that new idea generators can bring to our economy and how many small businesses we can create locally to cater to their needs.
Granny always said “the only constant in life is change”, and our ability to adapt to this inevitable change directly affects our ability to survive. This change has been forcibly brought about by the onslaught of the global pandemic, but we can survive and thrive. The way we did things and what we were accustomed to is no longer, but a new normal can begin. We have responded with an initiative that can benefit every individual and the entire nation. It’s for you, it’s for me, it’s for all ah we!