Moontown

Elizabeth Williams Tobago Bureau

The approach to tourism for 2010 in Tobago needs to be revised, according to Carol Ann Birchwood-James, head of the island’s Hotel and Tourism Association.

She told the Express on Wednesday, the present occupancy rate on the island was not as good as it was last year, and the hotel industry in Tobago is facing challenging times.

’We are going to have to re-examine our marketing initiatives. We have already formulated a few, that is the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association. We go back to Trinidad, on January 10, at MovieTowne, and we would continue those road shows in Trinidad,’ Birchwood-James said.

She said the approach to Tourism in Tobago was a holistic one, and all hands needed to be on deck.

She said the increased occupancy rate for hotels and guest houses, should not be dependent on the Tobago House of Assembly, the Central Government or the tourism association, as everyone had to do their part to increase and improve the tourism numbers.

’You cannot sit down in your business place and expect guests to come with the efforts of a few. The effort must be all of us. It’s our economy, its our island, we need to claim this island and participate in whatever occurs, when it comes to marketing Tobago.’

Birchwood-James added, no more tourism workers should be sent home in the tourism industry as $26.7 million had been given by the Tobago House of Assembly as a stimulus package and persons who have sent their applications would receive their monies before the end of the year.

The stimulus plan has two purposes, which is to keep employment levels up, and to help with operational costs.

’I would like to implore Tobagonians in the tourism industry, whether in diving, tour operating, bed and breakfast, come and find out if your category is covered and apply for the stimulus plan,’ Birchwood-James said.

This, she said, is a loan-to-grant package, and once people are kept employed as well as to keep their businesses open, it turns into a grant. (Trinidad Express)