TOBAGO tourism stakeholders are worried that the industry will take a pricey hit after the April 26 shark attack on a British tourist.
This weekend the island was set to host the Tobago jazz experience with many locals and foreigners flocking to enjoy the music and beaches.
However, at least seven beaches along Tobago’s western coast, including Pigeon Point, Mt Irvine and Store Bay, as well as the famous Buccoo Marine Park, remained closed to the public on April 27 as a precautionary measure. The THA says they will reopen on a phased basis. Beaches on the north-eastern and eastern sides of the island remain open.
Chamber of Industry and Commerce president Curtis Williams on April 27 told Newsday the attack will affect the island’s tourism sector in the short term.
“Definitely there will be a bit of fallout there, knowing that this is jazz weekend and people were looking forward to going to the beaches,” he said.
But he was optimistic the beaches will reopen soon.
The Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) met with lifeguards, divers, reef boat operators and other stakeholders at Fairfield Complex, Bacolet Street, Scarborough, to discuss how they should operate in the event the shark was spotted
[caption id="attachment_1080097" align="alignnone" width="1024"] A map released by the THA depicting where the bull shark had been spotted and the span of beaches which remain closed to the public. -[/caption]
Williams applauded the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) and TEMA's handling of the incident.
“I spoke to a couple of the people in the UK and the accident is all over the media. But we handled the narrative nicely. We have taken measures to close the beaches and we have sought assistance from the Coast Guard and other entities to treat with marine safety,” Williams said.
Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association president Alpha Lorde said the situation must be closely monitored.
“There is always a concern because we have to pay attention to the feelings of the person reading the news and how they will interpret it. Would there be an impact (on tourism)? In the short term, possibly, but it is left to be seen,” he said.
On April 26, British national Peter Smith, 64, of Berkhamsted, England, was attacked by a bull shark while bathing at Turtle Beach, near Starfish resort.
Initial reports said his left hand, from the elbow down, was badly damaged in the attack. Smith also sustained serious injuries to his left thigh and stomach. The incident occurred around 9.15 am.
Smith was taken to the Scarborough General Hospital after the attack.
THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine and Secretary of Health, Wellness and Social Protection Dr Faith B.Yisrael gave updates on Smith's progress.
[caption id="attachment_1080096" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Shark attack victim Peter Smith, 64, pictured with his wife Joanna, 62, is said to be in a stable condition in hospital in Tobago. - Photo FACEBOOK/JOANNA SMITH[/caption]
In a brief statement in the executive council’s media WhatsApp chat group on April
