Tobago launches tourism policing unit as part of activities to observe Caribbean Tourism Month
Scarborough, Tobago – The Tobago Division of Tourism and Transportation will celebrate Caribbean Tourism Month 2015 with a week of activities from November 23rd to 29th, 2015 under the theme “Maximizing Tourism Opportunities”.
The Tobago Tourism Week 2015 celebration aims to highlight the achievements of the Division; create awareness of the importance of tourism to the Tobago economy and to encourage more meaningful collaborations amongst all stakeholders.
“Responsibility for the development of the tourism sector and destination Tobago rests on all of us. This is why our activities for this week include all our stakeholders from policy makers, police, tour guides, taxi-drivers, vendors, members of the public and the management and staff of the Division of Tourism and Transportation. It is important that we recognize that for this to work we all have major roles to play.” Said Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary for Tourism and Transportation, Tracy Davidson-Celestine.
Tobago Tourism Week 2015 began on Monday (Nov. 23rd) with a Thanksgiving Service and Canned Food Drive at the Division’s Sangster’s Hill main office for members of staff.
Former Secretaries of the Division Mr. Neil Wilson and Mr. Oswald Williams as well as Secretary of Settlements and Labour, Mr. Deon Isaac and other stakeholders joined the Tourism family as they began the week of activities in praise.
The highly anticipated launch of the Tobago Tourism Oriented Policing Unit at the Pigeon Point Heritage Park Pavilion in the afternoon saw dignitaries coming together to celebrate the achievement.
Among those present were Minister of Tourism, Honourable Shamfa Cudjoe; Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly, Honourable Orville London; Deputy Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly and Secretary for Tourism, Assemblyman Tracy Davidson-Celestine and Acting Commissioner of Police Mr. Stephen Williams.
The new policing unit is the result of a series of discussions and collaboration between the Division and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and attests to the commitment to the safety of visitors and residents of the island.
The Tourism Awareness Campaign will be launched on Tuesday evening at the Division’s Sangster’s Hill office. The campaign will employ various strategies to educate stakeholders on the importance and benefits of Tourism as well as their roles in the development of the sector.
The pillars of the Division of Tourism and Transportation will come into focus on Wednesday when members of staff attend the “Tourism Staff Talk” Developmental session at the Pigeon Point Heritage Park Pavilion led by Administrator of the Division, Mrs. Jacqueline Job and renowned Economist, Dr. Ralph Henry.
Secretary Davidson-Celestine said that this initiative is particularly important since the Division’s staff is the greatest driver of its vision. She noted that they must be fully aware of the tourism product in order to be proper brand ambassadors.
“The Role of the Private and Public Sector in the Development of Tourism” will be the main topic of discussion at the Tourism Stakeholders Meeting on Thursday (Nov. 26) from 7:30 – 11:30AM at the Magdalena Grand Resort.
Dr. Sherma Roberts, Lecturer in Tourism in the Department of Management Studies, UWI Cave Hill Campus and co-author of the recently published Contemporary Caribbean Tourism, concepts and cases as well as Dr. Ralph Henry will facilitate this event.
The drive to develop the island’s sports tourism product continues with the official launch of the Carib Tobago International Rugby 7’s Tournament 2015 on Friday from 1pm at the Pigeon Point Heritage Park Pavilion.
More than 20 teams from over ten countries will participate in the annual event that takes place on 5th and 6th December, 2015.
Tourism Week 2015 activities will culminate with a “Know Your Tobago” Island Tour on Sunday 29th November, 2015 geared towards re-introducing staff and introducing members of the public to the offerings of destination Tobago.
“Hopefully by the end of this week there will be a greater appreciation by each of us of our roles in moving tourism in Tobago and by extension Trinidad and Tobago forward. From the youngest child to the eldest person, the business person to the regular man in the streets must have known and accepted their place in this movement.” Secretary Davidson-Celestine stated.
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