FEATURE FIRST APPEARED IN BARBADOS TODAY.
Caves of Barbados could soon be exploring more opportunities for development of caves across the island as Government seeks to create more of that kind of experience for Barbadians and visitors.
Minister of Tourism and International Transport Senator Lisa Cummins gave the hint recently while indicating that caves were very much part of the “development trajectory” for Barbados.
“As a government, the Prime Minister has made it clear that gullies and caves are very much a part of our patrimony and must be part of our development trajectory,” she said.
She was addressing a select group of tourism industry operators, media professionals, CHUKKA Caribbean officials and other partners at a recent tour of the redeveloped Harrison’s Cave Eco-Adventure Park.
Cummins said: “As we transition out from Harrison’s Cave, the management of Caves of Barbados Ltd, one of the mandates that has been given to the Board of Directors of Cave of Barbados Ltd, is the development and exploration of caves very similar to Harrison’s Cave to create the kind of iconic experiences that people have had for many years here in Harrison’s Cave”.
She opted not to give details then, but said it was something that was on the cards.
Harrison’s Cave Eco-Adventure Park, which is now being operated by CHUKKA Caribbean Adventures (Barbados) Ltd., a subsidiary of the Jamaica-based CHUKKA Caribbean Adventures, is in the process of carrying out an almost US$5 million (BDS$10 million) upgrade.
While that St Thomas attraction, previously operated by Caves of Barbados, is to have several new features starting June 15, the entire upgrade project is expected to last until about December 2023.
Once consisting of only a tour of the cave, the location is to start offering as of June 15, three different ziplines, a nature walk, a Mount Gay rum cellar and tasting room and the obstacle challenge course.
A Bajan chattel house themed video information room should be ready by July and the approximately 30-foot infinity pool is scheduled to be completed by October.
Meanwhile, an enhanced interpretation centre, a suspended bridge, a dry slide, additional gazebos, an aviary and a renewed retail centre are to also form part of the upgrades.
