AFTER being virtually decimated by the covid-19 pandemic over the past two years, Tobago’s hotel and guesthouse sector is operating at near maximum capacity.
On Saturday, the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association (THTA) reported that almost all hotels, guest houses, villas, and bed and breakfast businesses were fully booked over the long Easter weekend.
“We are almost full right through – villas, guesthouses, hotels,” said an upbeat THTA vice-president Carol-Ann Birchwood-James.
She said some stakeholders are now turning away guests.
Birchwood-James said at the hotel in Canoe Bay, “We are sending back people because we have a group that had booked since two months ago.”
“I was just able to accommodate one of our regular customers who comes twice a month, so we had to find a space for him. But we are sending away people. We are full; that is what we are getting from all of the hotels.”
When Sunday Newsday contacted Coco Reef Resort and Spa in Crown Point, a senior employee said occupancy was high.
“We are not 100 percent, but we are running a high occupancy. We are doing well,” the employee said, adding the resort got a new general manager on May 31.
Former THTA president Rene Seepersadsingh said other large hotels are not fully booked.
“But based on what has happened with the pandemic over the last two years, the island is bustling, no doubt,” he said.
“From a business perspective, everybody is pleased because there was a protracted period of little or no business, so obviously, business owners and operators will be pleased to have a lot more activity on the island. So, we hope that it sustains itself at least for the rest of the year.”
Commenting on Tobago’s high occupancy levels, THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine said via WhatsApp, “I am happy for those in the sector that will receive a bounce in business this Easter. It was much needed.”
He said the increased number of domestic flights and sailings allowed for an influx of visitors.
“I saw one report that suggests that we had 62,000 visitors for this long weekend.”
Augustine said Tobago is open for business.
“Tobago is ready to get its tourism sector going. We have a lot of work to do, but we are ready to put in the work.”
On March 26, amid declining covid-19 infections and deaths, the Prime Minister announced the removal of safe zones and restrictions in most sectors, including beaches and rivers.ReplyForward
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