Cadiz meets London on Tobago’s tourism industry

Minister of Tourism Stephen Cadiz met THA Chief Secretary Orville London and Tourism and Transportation Secretary Assemblyman Oswald Williams for more than an hour on Friday to discuss  Tobago’s tourism industry. After the meeting at the Calder Hall Administrative Complex, Cadiz said he hoped to deal with as many of the issues as possible to enable the industry to provide support for the economy, particularly in Tobago.

He said support for the tourism sector in Tobago will be rolled out very soon. As Minister of Trade, Cadiz assisted in formulating a $250 million Tobago Tourism Development Fund earlier this year to assist hotels, with less than 50 rooms, with debt restructuring, upgrade and maintenance. However, hoteliers have complained that it is taking too long for them to access the fund.

Cadiz said he is looking forward to working with the THA in his new capacity and to be part of the discussions of the Tobago Tourism Standing Committee. He said his objective is to make Trinidad and Tobago a hugely successful tourism destination.

Williams said he and London raised several outstanding issues affecting tourism in Tobago, especially the inadequacy of the terminal building at the ANR Robinson International Airport, the service of Caribbean Airlines to Tobago and the cruise ship industry which had a recent setback. He said the minister promised to have these matters put on the table for resolution.

London said it was particularly significant that Cadiz was the first among the newly appointed ministers to hold discussions with the THA. “I think it is in recognition of the importance of tourism to the economy of Tobago and the development of Tobago and it is also important because I think the minister appreciates the need for very close and meaningful collaboration between the THA and the Central Government and the Division of Tourism and the ministry in relationship to this industry.”