Caribbean Airlines’ (CAL) launch of direct flights between Tobago and Barbados will satisfy an apparent interest in travel to Trinidad’s sister isle.
At a press conference hosted by the Tobago Tourism Association Limited (TTAL) in partnership with CAL on Monday, a day before Barbados hosts the 41st edition of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace, officials said the twice-weekly flights will make travel between the two Caribbean islands easier, with flight times of just one hour from Grantley Adams International Airport to A.N.R. Robinson International Airport.
The flights will depart Barbados on Wednesdays and Sundays and return on the same days.
“Our research shows that the number one regional web searches for Tobago come from Barbados. Clearly, there is interest there,” said TTAL’s executive chairman Alicia Edwards who emphasised the importance of inter-island travel for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) region.
“Increased travel between our two islands not only helps support our tourism industries but it also helps to forge personal relationships that can lead to more trade across all sectors. Now that we have direct air service, we look forward to welcoming Barbadians to Tobago, and vice versa.”
Edwards noted that while Barbadians already enjoy beautiful beaches and great weather, Tobago also had a lot to offer.
“Our slogan is ‘unspoilt, untouched and undiscovered’. We offer a fabulous product for outdoor enthusiasts and eco-tourists with everything from hiking to bird watching, diving, waterfalls, and more. We have a great food culture; friendly, locally-run hotels; and dramatic villas. Our currency, the Trinidad and Tobago dollar, makes Tobago an affordable option for Barbadians looking for an experience beyond the ordinary,” she said.
Vice President of the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association Maria Yip-John who represented the island’s hotel industry at the press conference said she was looking forward to building relations with local hoteliers and welcoming Barbadians to properties in Tobago.
“Yours is a mature industry with an international reputation for excellence, and we look forward to exchanging ideas with local hoteliers in Barbados during this week’s Caribbean Travel Marketplace,” she said.
“We have everything from small guest houses to eco-lodges in the trees to luxury hotels. The main thing they all have in common is the sense of heartfelt welcome. Tobagonians are friendly and would love to meet more Barbadians thanks to this new direct flight.”
The TTAL also hosted a reception for Barbados-based travel agents and tour operators, who will be participating in Caribbean Travel Marketplace, as part of the celebrations to launch the service.
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