Few islands come close to matching Barbados as a holiday destination. Few islands can compete in offering the sheer variety of experiences or the history contained within just a few kilometres.

To meet the challenge of satisfying ever greater numbers of visitors the Barbados Port Authority has enhanced its facilities. At present the Bridgetown Port can accommodate five cruise ships simultaneously.

With the island's good international communications, Barbados has the potential to rival both Miami, Florida, and San Juan and Puerto Rico, as a leading turnaround port.

Barbados certainly has all the right ingredients they include an international airport capable of handling B747s and the supersonic Concorde, a varied selection of high-quality hotel accommodation, and a tantalising range of sophisticated shore excursions, including duty-free shopping in Bridgetown, lively party cruises and island-wide helicopter tours.

There is a shuttle service to passengers from the port into the city of Bridgetown. Two hundred taxis operate from the port.

Bridgetown's air-conditioned shopping centres are a duty-free paradise, with high-quality merchandise often priced 30-50 per cent lower than in Europe or North America.

Barbados is dominated by such internationally known stores as Diamonds International, Little Switzerland, Colombian Emeralds and MCM, the shopping centre also contains a selection of locally owned shops including Harrisons, the Royal Shop, Da Costas Mall and Cave Shepherd.

Barbados has plenty to offer by way of organised shore excursions. Also, for golf enthusiasts, Barbados can boast not one but two championship courses. In keeping with the island's reputation as an international playground, there are opportunities to pursue almost every conceivable sport.

It comes as no surprise to learn that Barbados has led the way in the eastern Caribbean with the creation of an attractive duty-free shopping complex within the port known as Bridgetown Cruise Terminals Inc. 

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