Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.
Barbados Welcome Stamp Program Forged Path to Tourism Worker Recovery.
Barbados became a Caribbean tourism leader as the pandemic hampered tourism. Its remote worker visa — the Welcome Stamp — streamlined the application process for expats and set the tone for digital nomad visas worldwide.
The Challenge
Barbados is dependent on tourism, accounting for more than third of its GDP. The pandemic prevented visitation to this Caribbean country, jeopardizing Barbadians' livelihood. This reality forced the Barbados government to get creative and find a way to attract visitors without promoting visitation during a period when leisure travel was at a standstill. Creating the strategy, however, was only half of the battle, while marketing it still posed challenges.
The Solution
DCI partnered with Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. to launch the innovative 12-month Barbados Welcome Stamp Program – the world’s first remote work visa program – via an aggressive earned media campaign. Non-national entrepreneurs who met the new visa requirements, including a minimum annual income and proof of health insurance, brought their work and family members to Barbados. Visa holders bolstered the local economy by staying longer than traditional travelers normally would.
The Results
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secured when the campaign launch went viral, garnering top tier coverage.
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submitted for the Barbados Welcome Stamp.
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trend sparked worldwide by this success in Barbados.
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on future remote worker entry visas alongside BTMI.
