She revealed this after a meeting of the Tourism Standing Committee this week that brought together the various players looking for solutions to the issues plaguing the tourism industry in Tobago. Minister of Tourism Dr Rupert Griffith said, however, that there was light at the end of the tunnel, assuring that collaboration was the key. The main issues were the air bridge, sea bridge, accommodation and security and its effect on the tourism industry. Birchwood–James described the meeting as a game changer, noting that solutions to the problems were discussed. "What was most important about today is that we got resolution to some of our immediate problems, promises of resolution which is something that has been sadly lacking for a long time," she said. "We are all stakeholders here and we extended the invitation to other stakeholders outside of our association and we are all leaving this meeting today very optimistic very hopeful," she said.
Birchwood–James revealed that a poll conducted by her association disclosed that the projected occupancy rate for July and August stood at 15 per cent. This projected rate was calculated on current bookings. "Occupancy rates are lower and of course for various reasons—with the air bridge and sea bridge the demand outstrip the supply, she said. "These are the areas we spoke about at length and we are advised that some conversations are going to take place. "There could be some sort of alleviation of these problems in the immediate future and of course we are talking about the marketing, as well and what will happen beyond July and August, when it September the figures will go down again," she said. She stressed that the main factors that affect occupancy levels are marketing, and the air and sea bridge. Griffith listed some of the possible solutions.
"We need to look at our international reps, and there is need for a complete review of the way it is done at this present time in terms of selection, in terms of the procedure used for marketing, and in terms of the selection of international marketing reps," he said. Griffith added that transportation between Trinidad and Tobago was also important. He said a team would be put together to deal with the local transportation issue. Griffith said: "We have agreed that there is a need for an inter-ministerial committee comprising the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Tourism and indeed the Tobago House of Assembly to really eyeball the problem that we are experiencing as the president said.
"The demand is higher than the supply and we are having a situation where Caribbean Airlines is only able to supply 97 per cent of the lift, therefore three per cent of the people who need to come to Tobago at any one time particularly in the very intense holiday period they cannot access a flight to Tobago," he said. The minister noted that this was a priority for his ministry and believed that with further collaboration and discussion between the THA and the central government these issues would be eliminated.
By: Cassandra Thompson
Via: Trinidad Guardian