TORONTO — For those Canadian travellers rethinking their travel plans, Barbados is ready to welcome them with open arms.
“Barbados isn’t just another beach vacation, it’s the crown jewel of the Caribbean,” said Eusi Skeete, Director for Canada at Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. “We offer Canadians something rare: sunshine with soul, luxury with legacy, and culture that moves you. If you’re planning your next vacation in 2025 or 2026, Barbados should be at the top of your list. You don’t need to go halfway around the world to find exceptional hospitality and unforgettable experiences – we’re just a direct flight away.”
Skeete adds that Barbados is doubling down on its appeal in 2025 and 2026 with newly launched accommodations, expanded experiences and strong access from across Canada.
Barbados now features 13,000+ villa and vacation rental options, and this year will see the groundbreaking of the 600-room Beaches Barbados.
Other highlights include a new 9-hole golf course, the ‘Little Apes’, opening at Apes Hill Barbados this spring, alongside brand new Golf and Sea View Villas available for booking starting May 1. The villas come with in-villa chef experiences, private spa services and complimentary golf rounds.
In other accommodation news, Blue Monkey Hotel & Beach Club is reopening this summer with 28 renovated rooms. Marriott’s The House Boutique Hotel reopened April 1. Tamarind Resort will be back on Jan. 1, 2026, fully refreshed. Skeete also notes that this year Marriott expanded its portfolio with adults-only The Waves and Treasure Beach.
Meanwhile the new Royalton CHIC Barbados will open on Barbados’ famed Gold Coast in spring 2026.
Not only that, luxury boutique hotel chain Pendry Hotels & Resorts will open its first international resort, Pendry Barbados, by the end of 2026 on the island’s west coast, offering 80 beachfront guestrooms and 46 private residences alongside a range of upscale amenities.
New additions to Barbados’ thriving culinary scene include Derriere French Brasserie in Limegrove (December 2024). The owner, Chef Jean Jacques Carquillat, also runs Les Shack Restaurant & Bar in St. Philip. Another new offering, Madison Bistro, opened in late 2024.
Visitors should also keep an eye out for The Oistin’s Experience, now at Wyndham Grand, and the Barbados Heritage District opening in spring 2025 (aligning with the 400th anniversary of British arrival, and preceding the island’s 60th independence anniversary in 2026). There’s also We Gatherin’: A Cultural Homecoming, a year-long celebrations for locals and visitors alike with monthly festivals, live performances, culinary showcases, and interactive community events.
More information about travel to Barbados is at VisitBarbados.org.
