THA-appointed recovery team wants review of festivals

The THA-appointed economic recovery committee has recommended a review of Tobago’s signature events and festivals to ensure maximum benefit to the island’s tourism-based economy.

“All signature festivals/events must be reviewed towards determining true viability,” the committee said in its 170-page report.

It added new festivals/events should also be explored by facilitating greater private-sector involvement. This, the committee envisages, will eventually reduce the reliance on government facilities as events become sustainable.

The committee said the review must also ensure synergy between tourism and the creative sector.

Chief Secretary Ancil Dennis established the 17-man committee last May to chart Tobago’s economic development post-covid19. The committee, chaired by Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute CEO Dr Stephen Sheppard, presented the report to Dennis in November. Copies were also sent to Chief Administrator Bernadette Solomon-Koroma and the THA’s divisions.

The committee’s recommendations for the sector were contained in a five-year strategic tourism development plan. It said a comprehensive destination product audit and the development of a policy on destination product assets management, monetisation, maintenance and protection should be linked to the plan.

The committee suggested the plan should also have inputs from the Division of Tourism, Culture and Transportation, Tobago Tourism Agency Ltd and other relevant public and private industry stakeholders.

This collaboration is critical to streamlining the industry, it said, and must be renewed every five years.

It is hoped the development plan would guide the industry by informing approaches, investments, growth strategy, accountability and stakeholder operations from the ground level to policy maker.

In its report, the committee also recommended the revitalisation of the capital, Scarborough, including near-port experiences and training local guides in order to improve the visitor experience.

It said there must also be an effort to upgrade Scarborough’s cleanliness and appeal through litter clean-up programmes, installing bathroom conveniences and removing illegal vending structures. The town’s appeal must include free Wi-Fi, development of trails, improvement of the Botanic Gardens, duty-free shopping, information kiosks and the establishment of an artisan space.

The committee also felt additional product-development officers should be hired within the tourism division and TTAL with specific mandates to regularly collect product data, ensure industry-standard compliance, interact with stakeholders and make recommendations.

“Having just two officers is woefully inadequate given the needs of the destination at this stage of recovery and development.”

It said a cross-sector team involving the tourism division, TTAL, Division of Forestry, Food Production and Fisheries, Division of Infrastructure, Quarries and the Environment and relevant private stakeholders must be established to align product identification, development and destination branding/marketing.

The committee also recommended managing and maintaining natural and heritage assets through transparent procurement processes that are open to civic and community organisations (as priority) and the private sector, which is necessary to effectively manage and monetise these assets.

It said a Tobago transfer desk at Piarco Airport must be established to provide engagement and a Tobago customer touch point that is consistent with global standards.