DON'T BE RUDE TO TRINIS

Progressive Democratic Patriots (PDP) deputy political leader Farley Augustine has appealed to Tobagonians to practise good customer service, especially to Trinidadians, as the country slowly reopens.

Addressing a virtual news conference on Thursday, Augustine said with the borders still closed to prevent the spread of covid19, intense focus must be placed on domestic tourism to boost the island’s economy.

He added good customer service is critical in this regard.

“For those of you in Tobago, I need to use my platform to speak to you forcefully. Every Tobagonian, I want you to listen to me carefully,” Augustine said.

“I want you to understand that every Trinidadian that visits this island is a tourist. Even your uncles and your aunts, your relatives that live in Trinidad permanently, they, too, are tourists.

“I want to beg of you to please provide high quality service. In this time, this rounds, there is no room for error.”

The Minority assemblyman said impoliteness cannot be the norm.

“There is no room for you to be rude to a visitor of this island. There is no room for you to discriminate based on local visitor versus foreign visitor.

“Treat every visitor with respect and love. Share with them the kind of warmth that we Tobagonians know that we have, that kind of friendliness we know that exists when we peek over our neighbour's fence, when we raucously laugh across the street or when we are buying fish or pulling seine. Let us treat every visitor with respect and courtesy.”

Recently, Chief Secretary and Secretary of Tourism Ancil Dennis said the short-term focus will be on attracting visitors from Trinidad.

“We at the Tobago Tourism Agency (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 because I want to reiterate again, those establishments should remain closed until such time."

Augustine said enhancing the service industry on the island must be prioritised.

He added: “Service will be critical. We can’t be begging Trinidadians to spend their money in Tobago instead of abroad and then treat them badly when they get here.”

The Speyside/L’Anse Fourmi/Parlatuvier representative also urged proprietors to treat Tobagonians in the same way they treat visitors.

“So, as a Tobagonian, should I decide to spend my money on a villa in Tobago instead of taking my vacation abroad, please treat me as you would treat a visitor, with the same kind of respect and courtesy.”

Augustine said “sharpening our tools” in domestic tourism is a must.

“We have to be able to say to the rest of the country that even when the country opens up, we need you to take your vacation in Tobago instead of outside of TT.

“Don’t fly to other destinations. 'Come, let we go to Tobago' has to become our mantra because we have to support one-another at this time as we organise to get out of it.”

Augustine said the domestic tourism market must be saturated with the necessary advertisements and imagery to let people know Tobago is open for business.

At the briefing, the PDP deputy leader also urged the Government to address the plight of people in the creative sector, who have also been deeply affected by the covid19 restrictions.

“I am concerned about those in the creative sector, those musicians, promoters, deejays, dancers, those performing arts people. I am concerned about them. Because of covid19, they are unable to ply their trade.”

He said people involved in the creative sector often do not work regular hours.

“And for them, weekends are like PJs (private jobs) where they go and dance or sing by a hotel. And, they too are unable to 'eat ah food' or live during this period.

“So, I beg that we do not forget those in that sector, please. Those in that sector need the assistance as well.”

On Sunday, the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association (THTA) said it was disappointed by the proposed distribution of the $50 million tourism grant to hoteliers.

"The Tobago tourism industry has been decimated by the coronavirus pandemic," the group said, adding that it submitted recommendations for an equitable relief grant, as requested by the THA."It appears our suggestions were completely ignored."

The group said the criteria to access the grant was onerous and not in keeping with emergency relief.

"This could be the end for many small and

medium sized businesses, most of whom were already suffering before the pandemic hit

TT," the statement said.

"We reject the proposed grant distribution out right and are appealing to the THA to revise

their strategy immediately in order to bring some much-needed relief to this critical industry," it added, suggesting instead it go under the control of the Business Development Unit of the Division of Community Development, Enterprise Davelopment and Labour so that loans and grants can be made available with low interest rates.

TTAL, under the direction of of the THA, has proposed a disbursement of $22 million to small properties (2-7 rooms), $24 million to medium sized properties (8-74 rooms) and $4 million to large properties (75 rooms and above).