Chief Sec: Not the time to attract foreigners to Tobago

Chief Secretary Ancil Dennis is of the view that now is not the time to attract visitors to the island.

Addressing Wednesday’s post-Executive Council media briefing at the Scarborough Library, Dennis who is also Secretary of Tourism, Culture and Transportation, said while he is aware that those in the tourism sector are eagerly anticipating the resumption of business, these businesses should remain closed.

He said during this covid19 period, work will be done to improve Tobago’s tourism offerings, from customer service to site improvements.

“We would use this down period to treat with some of our niggling issues within the tourism sector.

“I spoke a number of times about regulating the tourism sector and the issue of customer service that will also draw tremendous attention from the administration going forward. So we’ll use the opportunity as well to ensure that we offer...training. As a matter of fact, in some cases it may be a prerequisite towards persons receiving the kind of support they expect from the THA,” Dennis said.

He said the Tobago Tourism Agency Ltd (TTAL) will assume aggressive domestic tourism marketing to Trinidad, as well as to the regional markets.

“We at the TTAL are also planning as it relates to the marketing of destination Tobago and there will be aggressive marketing in the domestic market in Trinidad when the time comes...

“At the right time, we would begin aggressive marketing and we would also prepare to target the regional market when the time is right."