Tobago stakeholders say they support the THA Division of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation's decision to not host a physical Carnival celebration on the island.
It came hours after the National Carnival Commission announced that an estimated $30 million has been allocated for its Taste of Carnival initiative for mas, pan and calypso at safe zones in Trinidad. There will also be a brass concert and Carnival history showcase on February 28 and March 1, which would have been Carnival Monday and Tuesday. The NCC also unveiled over 200 pods at the Queen's Park Savannah in Port Spain where groups of six and ten can enjoy Carnival activities away from other patrons.
In a statement on Monday, the division said 'a unanimous consensus' was reached among the division, Tobago Festivals Commission Ltd and other Carnival stakeholders.
It added the decision, which was formalised with a signed agreement, came about after a series of consultations involving the division's line secretary Tasha Burris, Assistant Secretary Megan Morrison and representatives of various governing bodies in mas, pan and calypso. Stakeholders are now contemplating whether to host a Tobago Carnival in October.
The division said according to the agreement, the organisations will focus on restructuring and strengthening the overall festivities, and begin preparations for Tobago Carnival 2023.
However, the division will be embarking on a few initiatives during the season. These will include character portrayals at various locations.
On Tuesday, veteran bandleader Jemma Bedlow said the island's mas fraternity simply will not have enough to prepare for Carnival by the end of the month.
'So, we are looking at October. That will give the band sufficient time to prepare.'
Alluding to the resumption of international flights to Tobago, Bedlow was optimistic there would be a spike in tourism by October.
'It will be a hype up for Carnival in 2023. But in Tobago, we are looking at October - and we will be the last Carnival in the region.'
However, Bedlow said several bandleaders have expressed an interest in hosting 'a little J'ouvert and night mas.'
She suggested Shaw Park Cultural Complex could be used to host the events.
"You would have a greater measure of control there with the covid19 protocols. The mas people will want something.'
Bedlow said conventional mas with kings and queens is out of the question.
She said people's lives are more important than a dollar.
'If I value my life, I value yours. I doh play that.'
Tobago Business Chamber chairman Martin George said he welcomes the division's announcement.
'I am elated and ecstatic as this is something I have argued for,' he told Newsday via Whatsapp.
'I've also said it should be held later in the year and at a different time from Trinidad's Carnival. It seems the THA is listening so that's great.'
Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association vice-president Carol-Ann Birchwood-James also supports the decision.
'We had already done a study of it about ten years ag
