Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) was a hive of activity Monday as the Barbados Tourism Product Authority (BTPA) coordinated a welcome party for the arriving players of the West Indies and England cricket teams.

Anyone who could get away from work early Local dignitaries stationed themselves immediately malicioused or limed outside the arrivals hall to meet and greet the players, their management and family, while the sweet strains of steel pan music coloured the air. Among those in the welcome party were deputy high commissioner, British High Commission, Colin Dick; interim CEO, Barbados Tourism Product Authority (BTPA), Lionel Weekes; West Indies cricket stalwarts, Desmond Haynes and Vasbert Drakes; and manager of the National Tourism Host Programme (NTHP), Marsha Alleyne.

A Caribbean social media campaign utilizing the hashtags, #LoveCaribbeanCricket and #LoveBarbados, is scheduled to be incorporated in the online marketing efforts of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. These messages will target The Barmy Army in the stands at the Oval, as well as thousands of cricket fans and influencers online.

Barbados is also set to receive tremendous coverage before an audience of millions across the globe through the news updates by some 50 leading British media representatives travelling with the squad.