Tobago Hotel Closed for Renovations

The former Hilton Tobago Golf & Spa Resort closed Oct. 29 for a nine-month renovation and will reopen in July 2009 as the VHL Tobago Golf & Spa Resort. Hilton Hotels Corp. terminated its management contract in May, saying it was “not feasible to maintain the Hilton branding during the refurbishment.”

The hotel closure, compounded by Tobago’s recent upsurge in crime, may result in fewer visitors this winter, according to tourism officials. A Swedish couple was murdered on Oct. 9, and two British women were sexually assaulted in their guesthouse on Oct. 20.

Joseph Ross, minister of tourism, said that there are plans to increase cruise ship calls to Tobago in 2009 to help offset the loss of visitors.

Although there have been no arrests to date in the two tourist-related incidents, members of the Tobago House of Assembly met with security forces to increase police presence on the island, establish joint army/police patrols and add a K-9 unit.