National Trust launches 'on-demand' tours

As public gatherings are still limited, the National Trust has created the Friends and Family – Tour on Demand service to allow small, private groups of up to eight people.

The tour attempts to re-introduce leisure activities in a private, safe and convenient format, amid the pandemic. In a release on Sunday, the trust said this was an opportunity for friends and families to have a pandemic staycation while exploring the country’s outdoors and learning "fascinating" history-laden sites.

This new tour service offers a new "on demand" feature, soe customers can choose where and when they wish to go on a tour suitable to their schedule. Margaret McDowall, chairman of the National Trust, said: “This is an important customer-focused change for the trust...traditionally tours would usually be scheduled in advance, and customers would indicate their interest to attend.”

Over the years, people have requested private tours and weekend tours that were more convenient for working people and families with school schedules. McDowall said the pandemic motivated the trust to reconsider its approach.

"Now customers can schedule their tour of choice any day of the week.”

Tours can booked and paid for online. The tour bus can pick up the group at any convenient location.

The initial sites for the Friends and Family Tours include the historic Moruga tour, historic San Fernando, Nelson Island Heritage site, Cedros/Icacos, Chaguaramas and  historic Princes Town .

"These destinations can fill volumes of books with fascinating stories about our forefathers and the evolution of the country," she said.

To learn more about these tours, visit the National Trust website at https://nationaltrust.tt/book-your-tour/