Cruise ships give big boost to tourism in Barbados

While Trinidad and Tobago's tourism industry is in decline Barbados appears set to become the number one cruise destination in the Southern Caribbean.

Tourism minister Rupert Griffith announced Wednesday that at least two cruise ships have postponed their visit to the country.

At the same time tourism officials in Barbados were welcoming five cruise ships, including one of the world's largest ocean liners, the Queen Elizabeth, to Bridgetown. The luxury ships took 6,816 passengers to the island,

For the Queen Elizabeth, Barbados was its second port of stay on its inaugural trip.

Chairman of the Port David Harding promised that the Bridgetown Port would be redefined as it related to cruise tourism.

"New and exciting trade lines are opening up with South and Central America. Just as Puerto Rico has become a super hub in the North we are moving to make Barbados a similar super hub in the South,” he said.

The Queen Elizabeth is expected to visit Barbados twice a year which would supplement the six yearly trips currently being made by Queen Mary and Queen Victoria.