Tobago’s Secretary for Tourism, Culture, Antiquities, and Transportation, Councillor Tashia Burris, emphasizes the need for Tobago to be perceived as a destination that offers memorable experiences to its visitors. In a recent interview on “Beneath the Surface,” Burris addressed concerns regarding canceled bus tours for cruise ship passengers on November 11th, 2023, highlighting the importance of ensuring seamless visitor experiences.
Burris, overseeing the Division of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities, and Transport, lamented arriving at the port to discover the fallout from canceled tours.
“Now ah tell yuh I used to work on the port so I know, buses are supposed to be there for 6 am even though, because tours start at 8, people start coming off at around 7, 7:30, after immigration does what they have to do. So that if buses are not on the port by 6:30 you already know something is wrong because your morning tours are thrown off,” Burris explained, emphasizing the logistical challenges faced that day.
Expressing disappointment as Secretary for Tourism, Burris highlighted the embarrassment caused by the cancellations.
“Because I mean again, I don’t ever do anything to fail so if up to the day before I’m being told that everything is okay that we’re all set and then something major happens on the day of then I want to know what happened, I need some answers,” she asserted, seeking accountability for the incident.
Despite efforts to rectify the situation with apologies and gestures of goodwill, Burris acknowledged the limitations in resolving the issue once tours had been canceled and refunds issued.
“I wrote the letters of apology, signed it, print 350 copies of it and we packed 350 gift bags for these affected passengers,” she stated, highlighting her commitment to maintaining tourist satisfaction.
Burris stressed that while the incident was beyond her immediate control, it underscored the importance of swift action and preventive measures to avoid future disruptions. She pointed out the successful operation of tours for the Silhouettes cruise ship over the weekend, accommodating 840 passengers seamlessly.
As Tobago continues to navigate challenges in its tourism sector, Burris remains dedicated to enhancing visitor experiences and ensuring operational excellence.
For updates on Tobago’s tourism initiatives and developments, stay tuned to Tobago Updates Television News.
