AAA's famed "diamond" ratings will soon be applied to hotels, resorts and restaurants in Barbados. Ratings are expected to be announced starting in January 2007. Barbados tourism officials hope the application of AAA's international standards will encourage more visitors to consider the island.

This is the second time in recent weeks that Barbados has received a tip of the cap from a well-known international ratings entity. The famed Zagat guides recently released their first book on Barbados restaurants, the only such guide to a Caribbean island.