By Vernon Khelawan From Trinidad & Tobago Newsday

That there was no great outcry about the services provided by Caribbean Airlines on the airbridge gives the impression that the people of Tobago are comfortable with the level of service being offered by the national airline.

But what seems to be causing great headaches for the THA and Tobagonians generally are the challenges facing the tourism sector related to the “inadequate physical infrastructure at both the air and sea ports”.

In delivering his budget statement two weeks ago to the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), Joel Jack, Secretary of Finance and Enterprise Development told the THA members, “Domestic arrivals by air for the period January to March of this year increased by eight percent to 108,737 over the 99,521 recorded for the corresponding period in 2013.”

Jack added that the increase in domestic arrivals by air served to partially offset the fall off in domestic arrivals by sea. According to Jack, domestic arrivals by sea during January to March 2014 had dropped by 14 percent from 120,319 in 2013 to 103,440 in 2014.

Conceivably, the increase in domestic air arrivals could be attributed to the fact that CAL provides some 1300 seats every day between both islands and while this can be readily increased if the standby list gets too long, crew and aircraft availability is a factor to be considered.

Many have been the occasions when a jet is used to “rescue” the standbys, but since new Chief Executive Michael Di Lollo arrived on the scene, Business Day understands that he has put a stop to that and only the ATRs would operate on the airbridge. However, there has been no word about the continuation of the 12.45 am service to Tobago. Several months ago, CAL, responding to the call for later flights from Tobagonians, introduced a 10.45 pm service out of Piarco and another at 12.45 am. Reports reaching Business Day indicate that the “midnight special” does not do very well in terms of its load factor.

Jack also said discussions will continue with Caribbean Airlines regarding the establishment of a Domestic Airbridge Monitoring Committee to ensure that the supply of capacity on the airbridge is more closely aligned with demand. Another important discussion to take place with Caribbean Airlines and the Airports Authority would deal with the establishment of a “transfer desk” at Piarco International to facilitate the seamless transfer of Tobago-bound passengers whose first stop is Piarco International.

But while CAL can take the credit for the increase in domestic air arrivals at the ANR Robinson International Airport, the airline can claim no such kudos for the increase in international arrivals. “Over the period October 2013 to April 2014, there was significant growth in international tourist arrivals,” boasted Jack. Caribbean Airlines has just a single service from New York on Sundays.

He told the THA, “International visitor arrivals rose by nine percent from 20,047 in the period October 2012 – April 2013 to 22,046, in the period October 2013 – April 2014 and in the last five months, we have seen consecutive growth averaging in excess of 20 percent, with December leading by an impressive increase of 45 percent in international arrivals.”

Jack said last year’s budget statement emphasised the need to revitalise the tourism sector to further sustainable growth and this year all the indicators are pointing to “significant growth in the sector”. He however outlined some of the challenges at the island’s only airport at Crown Point. He pointed out that at the terminal, international passengers and domestic passengers face “many inconveniences”. He said the international Arrivals Hall was too small and unable to accommodate any great influx of passengers coming off the larger aircraft, while at the domestic terminal passengers are exposed to the elements when embarking or disembarking. There are also serious issues with the conveyor belt and the cramped Customs area.

Making a most important point regarding the THA’s renewed tourism drive, Jack said, “As we target high end visitors, a VIP Lounge becomes a critical facility.” He said the THA would continue to impress on the Central government the need for a new terminal building at the airport with all the supporting amenities.

Jack told the Assembly that the encouraging signs coming from the tourism sector would see the THA pushing for increased international arrivals through efforts to secure direct air services from South America and Toronto, Canada, while continuing to work with Kuoni Apollo for the continuation of the Scandinavian flights.

For more on this story go to: http://www.newsday.co.tt/businessday/0,197778.html

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