Barbados Extends Open Arms to Kenyan Professionals and Tourists, Allows Visa Free Travel

Caribbean nation leverages visa-free access and remote work programs to attract skilled workers amid demographic challenges

Barbados is making a strategic push to attract Kenyan visitors and workers, capitalizing on visa-free travel policies and remote work incentives to address its aging population while tapping into Kenya’s youthful, educated workforce.

The Caribbean island nation has seen a dramatic surge in Kenyan arrivals, with visitor numbers nearly tripling from 71 in 2023 to almost 200 in 2024, according to Barbados Tourism Ministry data.

This growth reflects broader continental trends, as African tourism to Barbados continues its upward trajectory.

“The African region has been growing significantly for us,” said William Alexander McDonald, Barbados High Commissioner to Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania, during a recent media briefing in Nairobi. “There has been a gradual growth in arrivals, which shows growing interest in the destination.”

Behind the tourism pitch lies a more pressing economic reality.

Barbados faces what McDonald describes as an “inverted age pyramid” – a demographic challenge where older residents significantly outnumber younger ones.

This has created acute labor shortages in key sectors, prompting officials to look toward Kenya’s demographic dividend.

“Kenya is blessed, as around 70 percent of its people are very young, well educated, speak English, and have similar structures that we have,” McDonald explained.

The countries are reportedly in discussions about facilitating skilled worker migration to help address Barbados’ workforce gaps.

Currently, Kenyans working in Barbados are concentrated in high-skill sectors including academia, engineering, and medicine – reflecting the caliber of professionals the island nation hopes to attract.

Remote work

The COVID-19 pandemic inadvertently provided Barbados with a solution through its Barbados Welcome Stamp Programme, which allows international professionals to work remotely from the island.

The initiative has attracted over 9,000 remote workers globally, creating a new economic model that Barbados hopes to expand with Kenyan participation.

Barbados High Commissioner to Kenya William Alexander McDonald at a media briefing in Nairobi on May 21, 2025.

This program addresses modern work flexibility demands while providing Barbados with an educated temporary workforce that contributes to the local economy without requiring permanent immigration status.

Beyond labor and tourism, Barbados is positioning itself as an attractive destination for Kenyan investment.

The economic disparity between the nations – Kenya’s GDP per capita of approximately $2,000 compared to Barbados’ $20,000 – presents opportunities for Kenyan businesses to access a smaller but more affluent market.

“A lot of financial services in Kenya would do very well in Barbados,” McDonald noted, suggesting particular potential for Kenyan insurance companies and banks to establish operations in the Caribbean market.

Tourism appeal

For leisure travelers, Barbados offers visa-free access, though direct flights remain unavailable, requiring connections through London or other international hubs.

Kyle Gittens, director of Emerging Markets at Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc, highlighted the island’s diverse attractions beyond its famous beaches – from its status as the “culinary capital of the Caribbean” to historical sites and wellness retreats.

The island’s cultural connections to Africa, combined with English as the working language and similar social structures, create what McDonald describes as “a home away from home” experience for Kenyan visitors.

This multi-pronged approach – combining tourism promotion, skilled worker recruitment, and investment opportunities – reflects Barbados’ comprehensive strategy to leverage its relationship with Kenya while addressing domestic economic challenges through international partnerships.

As global remote work trends continue and African economies strengthen, this Caribbean-East African connection may serve as a model for similar South-South cooperation initiatives.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​