Tobago hoteliers to get info on $50 million grant

Tobago hoteliers can expect to access the guidelines and registration forms for the Government’s $50 million grant facility to upgrade their properties later this week.

Chief Secretary and Secretary for Tourism, Culture and Transportation Ancil Dennis made the announcement on Saturday during a virtual post-executive council news conference at the Scarborough Library.

The briefing came after a day-long reprioritisation exercise in which secretaries reviewed the projects and initiatives in their respective divisions in light of the covid19 pandemic and made adjustments.

It was Dennis’ first media conference since being elected Chief Secretary on May 6 at the Assembly Legislature.

Dennis said he is well apprised of the hoteliers’ concerns regarding the promised $50 million to refurbish their properties during the shut down of the hotel industry.

He said the money has already been disbursed for the initiative.

“Part of my responsibility is the Division of Tourism, Transportation and Culture and much has been said and heard about the $50 million investment in the tourism sector where a number of our hoteliers and our property owners will benefit from assistance to renovate their properties,” he said.

“As of next week, we expect that information will be put in the public domain as it relates to the guidelines and the criteria. And of course, the registration forms and all of the other necessary information relating to this programme.”

Dennis said funding will also be made available through the Business Development Unit to support those involved in other arms of the tourism sector, including tour-guides and wedding planners.

He said he met on Friday with members of the Tobago Tourism Agency Ltd, which intends to launch specific campaigns targeting the domestic tourism sector to ensure the island is in a position to benefit given the current challenges with international tourism.

Dennis also revealed a special covid19 recovery task force will be established to chart a course for Tobago’s economic revival.

The members of the task force are expected to be announced this week.