It looks like the Barbados Tourist Authority is hoping to boost traffic to the island with a little help from Bajan pop star Rihanna. The sexy singer, who frequently returns to her homeland for some R&R, was spotted last week in Barbados doing a sexy shoot for the new tourism campaign. 

The Barbados Free Press released this statement: “Rihanna has signed a three-year contract with the Barbados Tourist Authority (BTA) to promote the island. BTA chairman Adrian Elcock noted that production on the promotional campaign is expected to begin soon and will be launched in September, in time for the winter tourist season.”

While celebrities aren’t often used for tourism campaigns, it’s definitely become something we’re seeing more and more of. Take for example the 2009 Visit California campaign “Find Yourself Here” which used Arnold Schwarzenegger, David Beckham, Rob Lowe and Vanessa Williams, or the 2010 British Columbia “You Gotta Be Here” TV ad that used Kim Cattrall, Steve Nash, and Michael J. Fox to promote the province. And let’s not forget the lead up to the London Olympics which included a Visit London 2012 TV campaign “You’re In” that featured cameos from Dame Judi Dench, Rupert Everett, Twiggy and Jamie Oliver.

We suspect Rihanna is more than happy to promote her country and it comes just after Nivea decided to drop the singer after they deemed her image “too sexy.” What do you think about Rihanna’s new gig? Do you care if there are celebrities in tourism campaigns?