$1.5M expected from Christmas Village

Secretary for Community Development Marslyn Melville Jack expects the Christmas Village on the Milford Road Esplanade to generate $1.5 million in revenues during the six days of its run.

Speaking at the official opening of the Village on Monday Melville-Jack said, describing it as the “unfolding of a vision,” said she expected Tobagonians and visitors to patronise the entrepreneurs.

“Today’s event celebrates the unfolding of a vision. We are experiencing the combined vision of our Division, clients and partners. Our vision seeks to empower entrepreneurs, to create an environment where small businesses can flourish, to expose their indigenous products to the general public and to encourage economic diversification on our island,” she said.

“Their (entrepreneurs) vision is to improve the marketability of their business and to increase their economic status.

“Over the next few days we expect Tobagonians and visitors to patronise these local businesses. We are expecting two tourist ships during the week. They (passengers) will come from the port to the Christmas Village. It is our hope that this effort will generate revenue for these local businesses to the tune of approximately $1.5 million,” she said.

Melville-Jack said the Village was intended to open up opportunities for small businesses in Tobago. Over 73 entrepreneurs are participating in the Village, showcasing a range of local goods. At last Wednesday’s post Executive Council media briefing, Melville-Jack had said that the expectation was that the Village would attract over 2,500 visitors.