Island's Natural Attractions Experience Surge in Winter Tourist Visits

by Diara Springer

Some tourist attractions are reporting a good winter tourist season so far, with many operators noting an increase in visitors compared to last season.

Local gardens, gullies, and forest attractions became popular destinations for tourists seeking natural beauty and unique experiences on the island.

At Coco Hill Forest, hostess Keila Bradshaw reported a significant uptick in visitors.

“We have seen a big influx of tourists come in here, especially European tourists,” she said.

The forest, which practises regenerative agriculture with mangoes, bananas, and cocoa plants, has expanded its operations to accommodate the growing interest.

“We were closed a while but now we are open Monday to Sunday,” Bradshaw said.

Unlike some of the island’s more commercial attractions, Coco Hill didn’t receive large tour buses, instead attracting visitors looking for “rugged adventures” in a natural setting.

Bradshaw described the forest as “a calming place and quaint”, where visitors could enjoy yoga, hiking, or lunch under the shade provided by the closed-canopy forest.

Similar positive trends were observed at the Flower Forest Botanical Gardens, where senior gardener Junior Mascoll reported: “We’re getting a lot of people.”

While Mascoll hadn’t noticed dramatic differences compared to last year, he remained pleased with the steady flow of visitors. He anticipated a natural decline around April, noting, “It’s going to fall off around April so we’re definitely not going to see as much numbers.”

Mascoll believed visitors were drawn to the “peace and quiet” of the gardens, which were currently at their most appealing as “the flowers and the plants are now starting to bloom.”

The garden also offered spectacular views of Mount Hillaby, the island’s highest point, visible from the gazebo.

Welchman Hall Gully appeared to be enjoying the strongest growth among the featured attractions.

Cashier Janelle Maynard reported business was “better than last year” with “a lot more people” visiting and increased inquiries about opening times. The gully offered unique experiences including monkey feeding from morning to noon, as well as views of the Atlantic Ocean from certain vantage points.

Tourists themselves were enthusiastic about their experiences at these natural attractions. Rob Stoneman, visiting the Flower Forest Botanical Gardens with his family from the United Kingdom, appreciated the climate contrast.

“We’re just loving the fact that it’s warm. It’s about six degrees right now in Northern England,” he said.

Stoneman, whose daughter studied at the University of the West Indies, had been exploring various attractions including Welchman Hall and particularly enjoyed “the tropical vegetation because it’s so different from what we have at home.”

Jose Wiloe from the Netherlands, encountered at Welchman Hall Gully, was thrilled to have spotted a monkey during her walk. A first-time visitor to Barbados, she praised the island for its “friendly people,” variety of activities, “great food,” and “beautiful beaches.” Her only complaint was the expense of travelling from the Netherlands.

“I would love to come back again but it’s so expensive to get here,” she said.

The contrasting accessibility noted by tourists highlighted an interesting divide.

While Stoneman mentioned that “it’s not expensive to get from the UK to Barbados,” Wiloe found the journey from the Netherlands prohibitively costly, potentially reflecting different air routes or travel options available to tourists from various European countries.