Tourism officials report a very good winter tourist season with a major influx of visitors and especially celebrities for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

Chair of Barbados Tourism Marketing Incorporated, Shelly Williams, tells Starcom Network News the heavy flow of tourists into the country even started earlier than normal.

Mrs. Williams notes that several international celebrities have been on the island including music producer DJ Khaled, actor Mark Wahlberg and TV personality Simon Cowell with more of the rich and famous due to arrive.

But she points out that while Khaled has been heavily promoting Barbados on social media, his visit was not a BTMI initiative.

Mrs. Williams believes the promotion Barbados received through DJ Khaled is invaluable and highlighted the fact that Barbados is now a favourite spot for the rich and famous, and the Khaled effect will only boost that.

BTMI Chair, Shelly Williams.