The Tobago Hotel & Tourism Association has stated its displeasure with the largest ever budget in the nation’s history. Finance Minister Larry Howai, last Monday, told the nation of his intention to spend $61.4bn over the next fiscal year.
In a press release issued earlier this week, the association is clear in its position that the budget under the theme “Sustaining Growth, Securing Prosperity” made it certain that the government does not understand the potential of the tourism industry in the Tobago scenario.
While many of our regional competitors are enjoying marketing budgets in excess of US$50m, Trinidad &Tobago was allocated TT$91m (UIS$14m) for marketing and all other tourism initiatives in the budget, which the association deems unacceptable.