Barbados is courting Kenyan tourists, promising the allure of adventure, white sandy beaches, a romantic escape and business opportunities.
A growing number of Kenyans are travelling to Barbados for leisure and work.
According to data provided by the Barbados Tourism Ministry, 76 Kenyans visited Barbados in 2022, with the number reducing to 71 in 2023. In 2024, nearly 200 Kenyans visited the Caribbean nation.
“The African region has been growing significantly for us. There has been a gradual growth in arrivals, which shows that there has been a growing interest in the destination,” said William Alexander McDonald, the Barbados High Commissioner to Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania, speaking at the Kwetu by Hilton Hotel in Nairobi.
He said that perhaps the only difference between Kenya and Barbados is the sky. He described the similarities between the two nations as striking, particularly with regard to culture, warmth, and the way people connect.
“Barbados is renowned for being the motherland of popular singer Rihanna. There is more though. When you visit Barbados, it feels like a home away from home,” Mr McDonald told Business Daily.
Visa and direct flights
Visitors to Barbados do not require a visa. However, there are currently no direct flights from Kenya to Barbados.
"If you’re travelling from Kenya through London to Barbados, you do not need a transit visa because you’re going to go through the same terminal. That is only if you don’t take a break in London. Many people who come may want to go and visit some family in London and then go on. At that time, you will then need a visa. Where you need a transit visa is when you go through the US, and maybe at times when you go through Europe,” he adds.
So, what exactly can you do in Barbados?
Promenade at marina of Bridgetown, Barbados.
Photo credit: Shutterstock
“Barbados is referred to as the culinary capital of the Caribbean. The food on the island is amazing; everything is prepared fresh, well-seasoned, and very flavourful,” said Kyle Gittens, director of Emerging Markets at Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI).
He recommends visitors take an island safari tour. Barbados boasts stunning beaches for swimmers and snorkelers, dramatic Atlantic waves for kite surfers, and even green monkeys for wildlife lovers.
History enthusiasts can tour the George Washington House, Parliament Buildings, or the Jewish synagogue, the oldest in the western hemisphere.
Barbados High Commissioner to Kenya William Alexander McDonald (right) with Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc Director of Emerging Markets Kyle Gittens, during a media briefing in Nairobi on May 21, 2025.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
“For wellness seekers, we have the nice, fresh farm-to-table concept, a great destination for your wellness retreats. There is yoga, botanical gardens, and even a scenic railway tour from St Nicholas Abbey, which doubles as a boutique rum distillery. Speaking of rum, Barbados is its birthplace. There are also festivals such as the Barbados Food and Rum Festival. It would be a sin not to engage in one of these types of activities to immerse yourself in the culture of the people of Barbados,” he said.
Work and investment opportunities
Barbados is also courting young Kenyan workers and investors.
“During the Covid period, we introduced the Barbados Welcome Stamp Programme. It allowed people to work remotely from Barbados. Over 9,000 persons from all across the globe are currently registered. Barbados has an inverted age pyramid. In other words, there are more older people than younger people. We are engaging with the government of Kenya to see how we can get skilled workers to come from Kenya to help us with our shortfalls. Kenya is blessed, as around 70 percent of its people are very young, well educated, speak English, and have similar structures that we have, so they would be able to understand the work,” said Mr McDonald.
He said that many of the Kenyans working in Barbados are in academia, engineering, and medicine.
“We also encourage Kenyans to invest in Barbados, either through our financial services regime or through foreign direct investment in businesses. A lot of financial services in Kenya would do very well in Barbados. To give you the context, the GDP per capita in Kenya is about $2,000 (Sh259,000). The GDP per capita in Barbados is about $20,000 (Sh2.5 million). We have a smaller but more affluent society that would probably consume more of the things that Kenyan businesses, insurance companies, and banks would be able to make and produce," he said.
