Tourist victims fly out

TWO British tourists who were violently robbed at the Queen's Park Savannah safely flew home on Sunday, prompting the Government to re-think visitor security, said a Ministry of Tourism statement.

Michael Wilson, 74, and his wife Sally Wilson, 72, had taken a Caribbean cruise to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. They arrived in TT on December 26 (Boxing Day) among 3,000 passengers on the MSC Preziosa cruise line and were due to leave later that day.

However, they missed the boat’s departure because Mrs Wilson was injured during a robbery at the Savannah. She was treated at the Port of Spain General Hospital (PoSGH) and expressed gratitude.

The Wilsons left on a British Airways flight to the UK, via St Lucia, at 7.30 pm on Sunday.

Before boarding, they reportedly chatted warmly with officials of the Ministry of Tourism and with other passengers at Piarco Airport.

The statement said the ministry thanked the Wilsons for their graciousness after the unfortunate incident.

“We also thank the taxi driver for his prompt assistance in taking them to the hospital, the staff at the PoSGH, the Hilton Trinidad Hotel for accommodating them for their anniversary observances and all others who provided the care, friendship and hospitality that our island nation is known for.”

Tourism Minister Randall Mitchell is due to meet Minister of National Security Stuart Young and Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith early in the New Year, to review and improve security arrangements for visitors to the country.

Mitchell said, “This was the first such incident involving a cruise ship passenger in recent memory and is an occasion for pause and re-evaluation of the measures we put in place for the safe and enjoyable stay of our visitors.

The police, he said, had "always been one of the more effective agencies involved in planning for cruise calls and the strong working relationship will continue through this re-evaluation."

He said the goal was "always to be constructive and to continually improve.”