It seems good that the recent Easter and even Carnival periods in Tobago were booming. Flights and sea travel trips were booked solid. However, these travel fees are heavily subsidised by the Government, and by extension, the taxpayers. It means, therefore, that as more and more people go to Tobago to holiday, we pay more of our taxes for it. As extra flights and sailings are added, we taxpayers pay more for them. In other words, those of us who remain in Trinidad, pay for those to go to Tobago.
I wonder when will the time come for Caribbean Airlines and the Port Authority of T&T to consider implementing a pricing system based on normal market conditions like demand and supply. That is, as the demand increases, like the Easter and July/August periods, the prices should also rise.
Now, there may be many criticisms for this. This might price-out many ordinary citizens from going to Tobago. But, the price should be increased slightly making it still affordable for all travellers. I am quite sure that for peak periods, people may not fuss about paying $400 per airline ticket and $200 per boat ticket. Ease up the taxpayers a bit man.
Travellers usually pay these incremental price increases as they book tickets for other destinations of Caribbean Airlines and all other airlines as the number of seats available are reduced. So why not help the airline and shipping company and, by extension, we the taxpayers a bit? A system whereby early bookings can pay the regular price but as the date gets closer to the holiday period the price can increase slightly should be seriously considered.
Kevin Ram