Scots working from home during the coronavirus pandemic could relocate to Barbados for a year, under a new scheme being considered.
Bajan prime minister Mia Mottley wants to offer tourists long stays on the Caribbean island in a bid to boost the economy.
Under the scheme, Scots would have the option of a 12-month holiday on the idyllic island and could work remotely.
The ‘Barbados Welcome Stamp’ would encourage visitors to enjoy the hotspot for longer following the opening of its borders on 12 July.
The country is hoping people will want to swap rainy Scottish summers for life on the beach.
In a statement, Mottley said: “You don’t need to work in Europe, or the US or Latin America if you can come here and work for a couple months at a time; go back and come back.
“But in order for those things to truly resonate, what does it mean? It means that what we offer has to be world class and what we continue to offer is world class.”
She added: “The government is committed to working with you on the promotion of new concepts like the 12-month Barbados Welcome Stamp, being able to open our borders to persons travelling and making it as hospitable as ever for all of us, and making it available for Barbadians from every walk of life to believe that for special occasions, or just for so, that they can come out and be a part of this wonderful exercise.”
Tourism makes up around 40 percent of Barbados' gross domestic product, while around 30 percent of its workforce is reportedly employed by the industry.
While the impact of virus has been limited on the island, the lack of international travel has hit the economy.
British passport holders don't need a visa to visit Barbados but are granted a period of time to stay.
The island is included on the British government's list of travel destinations exempt from UK quarantine for those arriving from the country.
It is also not on the Foreign Office's list warning against all but essential travel overseas.
