The quality of the services, infrastructure and products that are provided as part of the tourism industry are vital to the success of any travel destination. Visitors traveling to Barbados will arrive by air or sea transport services, and then rely on ground transportation services to traverse the island during their stay. They will spend their holiday in an accommodation property, (e.g. infrastructure including hotels, apartments, guesthouses, private villas, etc.), and they will experience products and participate in activities that include dining, shopping, sports, and attractions, each of which can be the focus of specific niche market development. All of these aspects make up a total holiday experience, the quality of which will determine whether the island can deliver hospitality and services that surpass its competitors.

Barbados is an island with a rich history and diverse cultural heritage products ranging from historic buildings and nature sites to oral history and festivals. Since cultural heritage tourism has been found to be a major interest of the "new traveller" and a fast growing, high spending market in itself, preservation of Barbados" cultural products offers a vital opportunity for expansion of the tourism sector. The recent designation of Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison as a UNESCO World Heritage Property is a significant achievement and invaluable to cultural heritage tourism. An important common theme shared by many destinations that have UNESCO-designated sites is a promotion of those sites and their legendary histories, while drawing attention to the cultural heritage of the destination. It is recognized that through the efforts of the Barbados Garrison Historic Consortium, several of these potential stories and legends are now being presented to both visitors and residents.