Risky reopening for large Tobago hotels

THE international market remains closed along with TT’s borders but Tobago’s hotels and guesthouses are on a campaign to woo visitors, in keeping with the island’s renewed focus on domestic tourism post covid19.

So said Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association (THTA) vice-president Carol-Ann Birchwood-James.

“People (hoteliers) are preparing and they are also trying to get all of their documents in order for this $50 million grant,” she told Newsday Tobago.

At the post executive council news conference on June 3, Chief Secretary Ancil Dennis announced hoteliers had agreed on a formula for the disbursement of the grant.

The had initially rejected a plan to give small guesthouse operators the bulk of the fund - $24 million – while small properties and hotels were to get $22 million and $4 million, respectively.

In the new arrangement, hoteliers offering 100 rooms or more can access a maximum of $600,000 from the fund.

Hotels with rooms of between 50 and 99 rooms can access a maximum of $500,000 while smaller properties of between eight and 50 rooms can qualify for a maximum of $300,000.

Smaller properties of under seven rooms can access up to $100,000.

Birchwood-James said although preparations are well under way to receive visitors, the large hotels could face a challenge.

“They have to bring out all of those people and they have no money coming in.

“They did not have money for three months and there is no component in the grant for operational costs.

“So, this is a challenge that hotels will have. How do you bring out our staff to start to prepare for people when you do not have any money in hand.”

She said some hoteliers may have to secure loans from commercial banks to get back on their feet.

“So, it is a challenging time but people are glad that the lockdown has eased up ,at least as far as hotels are concerned and, therefore, we can open our accommodation plans to Trinidadians.

Birchwood-James said Trinidadians have expressed interest in coming to Tobago but hotel managers will have to make sure they balance their books properly.

“But hoteliers will have to weigh the number of people coming and the amount of money they have to spend to keep your operations going – if the amount of people coming is enough to at least pay staff and cover utilities.

“Because you can’t have a big hotel with 200 people, like the Magdalena (Grand Beach & Golf Resort), and you only have five guests.

“So, it is a challenge and we are hoping we can weather the challenge.”

As TT slowly reopens, Birchwood-James said hoteliers will also have to apprise guests of the new protocols to prevent the spread of covid19.

She said guests will be required to wear masks throughout their stay and barriers will also be installed at the hotels’ reception counters.

On June 4, the Division of Settlement, Urban Renewal and Public Utilities launched the I Love Tobago gateway sign on the western end of the Scarborough Esplanade.

The sign, which is meant to engender a sense of pride and patriotism in Tobagonians, is being seen as the first major initiative in repositioning the island as a major tourist destination, post covid19.