Tobago Correspondent
The Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association (THTA) is predicting a gloomy month for the industry after it saw a ten per cent decline in its occupancy rate for Easter this year. Meanwhile, smaller inns recorded an average of 40 per cent this season. In 2023, hoteliers recorded up to a 70 per cent occupancy rate. In 2024, it dropped to 60 per cent.
Vice president of the association Mari Yip-John pointed fingers at the unavailability of flights on the air bridge as the main deterrent. She felt the air bridge could not meet the demands of the number of travellers trying to get to Tobago this season.
She told Guardian Media, “We would have hoped for a higher occupancy, but we did have a lot of members who would have lower than 65 and a few who were higher. But, generally, there were still a lot of rooms and villas that were available.”
She said activities during Easter and the Tobago Jazz Experience in April carry the island’s tourism sector. Last month, the Tobago House of Assembly pulled out as the main sponsor of the jazz event, deeming it unsustainable. However, one private promoter, Black Two Sugars, announced a significantly scaled-down jazz weekend from April 25–28.
Yip-John said, “This is going to be a very difficult month for Tobago, not just the tourism sector but all the other businesses that are directly affected by tourism. We average 60 per cent occupancy. What our members indicated is that they did have people calling, but there were no flights for them to come over.
“We are aware there was still a demand based on the phone calls properties were getting, and people could not get to Tobago.”
With an alarmingly low occupancy rate this Easter and the cancellation of jazz, the sector is bracing for a harsh blow.
“The very late announcement that jazz is not happening this year here in Tobago, it’s believed, has affected the entire tourism economy, actually the whole business sector. Jazz is usually a period where the accommodation sector would have a high occupancy. Taxi drivers and tour guides would benefit.
“The jazz season—and I say season because the week before jazz, there would be a lot of run-up events that took place—is something the sector looks forward to in April because that is what will carry us. That would be the one weekend that you would have demand on the island. Now that it is not taking place, everyone is very hard hit.”
President of the Unique Bed and Breakfast & Self Catering Association Kaye Trotman agrees with Yip-John and has advised her members to brace for a challenging month.
“Right now, it is looking that way. It is based on the bookings people have; it is below what people would normally gotten during the period.”
She said a few reported 100 per cent occupancy, while others had no bookings. Secretary of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation Tashia Burris could not be reached for comment. In 2023, the president of the THTA, Alpha Lorde, revealed that none of his members were fully booked for Easter. Lorde said he was disappointed with the numbers, as he expected higher occupancy for a long weekend post-COVID-19.
He identified airlift as a major complication in getting people to Tobago, although the sea bridge has improved. In 2021, the association reported a 76 per cent occupancy rate, with villas performing better at around 90 per cent. At that time, Lorde attributed the higher numbers to Tobago being the only travel option during the pandemic restrictions. However, he lamented the challenges that persist with limited flights and the availability of seats on board the fast ferry sailings, although the situation has improved compared to previous years.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce Tobago Division Curtis Williams said that although this Easter season was not as exciting as expected, his members are thankful for its returns.
He said, “Half a dozen is better than none. We are quite grateful, and we look forward to the Tobago Carnival in October because we know that will definitely be a bumper time.”