State of Emergency lifted on December 6 2011

[Ian Gordon]

Having recently returned home from an excellent fourth holiday in Tobago, I was interested to find out why several hotels (including ours at Coco Reef) were reported as significantly down on occupancy. Some of those holidaying for the first time at our hotel even seemed to be very apprehensive about leaving the hotel grounds to visit local shops etc. I now see the Foreign Office travel site was advising a state of emergency for Trinidad and Tobago effective from 21 August, which was lifted on 6 December. There were also warnings of violent crime, particularly in Tobago where law enforcement is weak.

While I understand the need for caution and a general awareness to your surroundings, I can honestly say that we were able to stroll around the local area without any indications of threat or intimidation. Indeed, it is the friendly attitude of the local people which has been a major factor in choosing Tobago over the years and I haven't seen anything to change that view. It is good to see the Foreign Office are now advising there are no travel restrictions for security, other than the normal guidelines, as a downturn in tourism to the island will significantly affect the local economy. I wonder if Tobago sometimes suffers adversely (and unfairly) from happenings on Trinidad.