Tobago hotels are trying to take advantage of the high returns coming out of major events on the island in July, August and October after the lifting of most of the covid19 pandemic restrictions.
In those three months, thousands of people are expected to attend the Tobago Heritage Festival, Great Fete Weekend –which headlines top regional and international performers – and Tobago’s Carnival in October.
Occupation rates are between 75 and 100 per cent, but hoteliers are already experiencing cancellations during what some have described as the first and biggest economic peaks in over two years.
They are concerned that the unavailability of space on Caribbean Airlines Ltd (CAL) flights to the island will rob them of the chance to break even.
Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association vice president Carol Ann Birchwood-James told Newsday in an interview on Tuesday that after two years of downtime, hoteliers are disappointed that CAL still has not got it right.
She suggests CAL should lease a plane to cater to peak season demand.
“We used to do that before, so we need to look at that suggestion and work out the figures and look serious about it. July-August peak season is almost gone, but in October we need to get this right.
“It’s disappointing we still have this issue ongoing."
She suggested the solution was leasing an additional aircraft airlift for peak times such as Easter, July/August vacation, Christmas and other major events on the island.
“We have to do something, We can’t wait our hotels to get filled, people employed, businesses operating when we can’t get people to the island because we don’t have an efficient transportation service.”
Birchwood-James said most of the hotels spent the last two years closed.
"Everybody is in difficulties; the pandemic left us in shambles.”
Despite the challenges of the pandemic restrictions, hoteliers accessed grants from the Tobago House of Assembly to improve their product and service delivery.
[caption id="attachment_967024" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Mas character Geronimo Warrior during the Plymouth, Tobago street parade on July 23. Tobago Carnival is scheduled for October 28-30. - FILE PHOTO/David Reid,[/caption]
“Still, some people need money for operations, to pay mortgages and other bills to get on their feet. Most of them are on their feet, but quite a number of them are still struggling."
She acknowledged, however: "All is not lost. We are trying to keep the industry alive.”
Birchwood-James lamented that covid19 almost cost Tobago its lifeline of the entire tourism sector, but believes the response to the upcoming events is what the sector needs.
“Whatever money we have had, it’s now gone in the last two years. So if we are hit with something else again, we will need help from the state, because all the reserves are done, and what is generated over this economic boom will not be sufficient.”
Kaye Trotman, president of the Tobago Unique Bed and Breakfast & Self Catering Association, shared these sentiments, saying almost half
