Tobago Expects $550 Million from Tourism
Tourists could bring in an estimated $550 million for Tobago but Secretary of the Division of Tourism and Transportation in the Tobago House of Assembly Tracy Davidson-Celestine said crime is threatening the growth of the island’s tourism industry.
Speaking during debate on a motion in the THA on Tobago’s tourism sector, Davidson-Celestine said the island is looking to strengthen its ability to cash in on visitor arrivals. She explained that the $550 million figure factors in an average spend of US$3,000 per visitor on accommodations, meals, tours and other expenses.
She said the calculations are based on the arrival of a modestly-estimated 30,000 international visitors to Tobago. However, that figure should increase with cruise ship arrivals expected to rise by 35 per cent in the winter season, which begins in November.
The motion called for support for the THA and other relevant agencies to “nurture (Tobago’s) clean green, safe and serene environment.”
David-Celestine said police statistics show that crime in Tobago is dropping but break-ins and robberies remain a serious challenge.
“We must be in a position to protect the gains that we have made to continuously protect and preserve our heritage,” she said
Davidson-Celestine said Tobago leads the Caribbean region when it comes to safety of tourists and the division has aided tourism efforts by helping six properties to attain a two-star international rating, and has also enhanced beach facilities and attractions.
The Division is also about to embark on a major public awareness program, which will work with communities to help them understand why protecting the tourism product is so critical.
“It will show them how everyone can benefit from the product and the need to keep Tobago clean, green, safe and serene,” she said.
According to Davidson-Celestine, the marketing objectives of Destination Tobago are to sustain air transport, increase the number of tourist arrivals, increase visitors’ spending, and attract new investments in the form of tourism accommodation, marinas, amenities and ancillary services.
The Division has also engaged a reputable agency in Brazil to help market Tobago as a tourist destination via GOL Airlines, which recently added Tobago as a weekly route. Travel agents and travel media are expected to visit Tobago to learn about the island’s unique selling points to boost their marketing endeavors.
The Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute (THTI) has also assisted by adding Portuguese language courses to its curriculum. Portuguese is the major language in Brazil.
Source: The Guardian (Trinidad & Tobago)
