Oil money hindered Tobago's tourism growth

Tobago stakeholders have called on the public to get serious about tourism. During a virtual panel discussion on post-covid19 tourism recovery plan, hosted by Tobago Civil Network on Thursday, stakeholders agreed that a mindset change is needed to maximise the island's tourism potential.

Independent Senator Dr Maria Dillon-Remy said TT's booming oil and gas industries in the past resulted in a mediocre approach to developing the sector.

She said, "We are still a beautiful destination and in spite of the fact that we've done so poorly in our tourism product, it is my hope that we do get our act together and really identify what we want to see in tourism in Tobago."

Dillon-Remy added, "In the past I don't think we've really been serious about tourism in Tobago, because our lives have not really depended on it. We were always bailed out by oil money so we haven't had to do the things other islands have done because their sole income is from tourism.

"Tourism has been a by-product, it has not been the main focus....We have not really developed it....As a result of this covid19 pandemic and lack of bailout from oil money, we are going to put serious effort in building the product."

New Tobago Festivals CEO John Arnold, making it clear his comments are not on behalf of any entity, said "We all have to get serious. How do you build tourism in an oil and gas economy? You get the money to do it but how do you get really serious to tell Tobago that this is our biggest strength let's all come on board."

Arnold, known for his influential roles in developing to the Tobago Jazz Experience and Blue Food Festival, said the pandemic has forced Tobago fast-forward the necessary decisions to advance the tourism industry.

He said Tobago must embrace the virtual world which has become necessary during the pandemic. He said the virtual events for Tobago Heritage Festival and Blue Food Festival have been successful and should be continued.

"We have to rethink how we do tourism. We can't do it like how we were doing it before. We may have new health protocols to look at and now is a wonderful opportunity to start shaping the virtual landscape. The virtual landscape is the future.

"Even if we go back to live festivals, that virtual is the thing of the future, you can't get away from this. Now is the time to think of the platforms we engage."

Arnold said Tobago must focus on its strengths and package it properly for the international audience.

"For me, the strengths of Tobago are history and culture...I think we have to focus on things that are powerful for us. The natural – we have that. We have a rainforest that there is none in Western Hemisphere like that. We have birds, we have about 200 species. We have some of the best beaches. There are some people in Tobago don't know about the bioluminescence algae in the mangrove. We take for granted a number of things.

"Food is a big thing in Tobago. The experience of eating crab meat out of a gundy, if you film a session on that it's a big thing for experiential tourism."

Crown Point Partnership Association vice president Shirley Cooke added, "I think we are moving too slow. We need to provide the tourists experiences that lift up our products, lift up who we are, our culture, out natural resources. We must be in a position where we allow our indigenous residents to manage and monetise and maintain these things. The Government has to release some of these assets from their portfolio."

Weighing in on Cooke's appeal to privatise more of the tourism sector, Arnold said, "Community tourism model is happening at Castara. Sometimes I'm amazed at what's happening there. I have a friend who owns a hotel there, very simple, modest but beautiful experiences for the people."

However, Arnold, who has attended several trade shows around the world, said a disadvantage Tobago has is its lack of a brand-name hotel.

He said the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) market remains untapped.

However, Arnold believes the opening of the Comfort Inn Suites in Scarborough will soon address.

He said he attended trade shows and a repeated complaint has been the lack of a brand-name hotel as a selling point.

"One thing about the American market, I realise they want to know a Hyatt, Ritz-Carlton, Marriott – they know what it is, they know what it gives, they don't want to do research."

He added, "The Comfort Inn as a small property, that is another niche – the MICE market – that we can pursue post covid19.

"That's a big, big market. A group of doctors who meet; they're affluent, they spend but they want to have a conference in a (tourist) destination. When I went to those conferences I was able to boast about Shaw Park (Complex) and they loved the facility. We had a big advantage because we were five minutes from the hospital, which was one of the questions. The second question was brand hotels. We didn't have brand hotels."