different needs and expectations of visitors to Tobago

[Charlotte Keene]

Hello,
Being fortunate enough to own a lovely house in Tobago which we rent out to people for holidays when we are not there, I have become very aware of the different needs and expectations of visitors. We hear so many conflicting reports of Tobago from holidaymakers that it is sometimes hard to believe that they visited the same island. 'Secluded' to one person will mean 'remote' to another, one interpretation may be good, the other bad. 'Unsophisticated' is another word which can be on the plus side, or can just mean that you never get what you need in the shops. To some people birdlife and a calm environment are heaven, to others they are boring! After careful attention to correct wording in advertisements we now seem to attract the sort of visitors who appreciate the house and area, but not before a learning curve had been negotiated!
It would help to know what information is really useful to people when they are searching for accommodation, if anyone had the time to post a message.

[Florian Baldauf]

Hello Charlotte,
reading your post, I carefully thought about the kind of information that makes the difference.
As you say, using only single words for description can be misleading for potential clients. Every now and then they have magazines on the tele, reporting about misunderstandings, some of them ending before court. If, for example, a travel agency states "hotel with direct access to the beach", it doesn´t necessarily mean that you will find a sandy beach.
This is going a bit extreme, I know; but I think it´s things like these that make people very uneasy and quite cautious, even if no caution is needed.
Now, things I always find helpful are, for one thing, photos. Heaps of photos. You can always get a proper impression of a property or hotel by looking at nice photos (well, one might say that you can never be sure if there hasn´t been a gifted photographer making something really good-looking out of something less pretty; but then, you have to trust someone, don´t you?).
Another thing might be the description itself. Don´t use single words that, as you say, might be misunderstood. Use a more detailled descripton. Instead of calling a place "remote", you could say "The property is a five-minute-drive away from the next village. It is completey surrounded by ...... and if you don´t want to, you won´t see anybody throughout the whole day".
Everytime Í plan a holiday, these are the things I look for (that is, if I don´t come across an superb homepage, bursting with information- thank you, Steve!)
Lots of succes with your business, then.

[Steve Wooler]

Charlotte has raised a question that I find particularly interesting and appropriate as I am in the middle of finishing the reviews from our 2004 trip to Tobago.

Our accommodation reviews are meant to be as unbiased as possible. We try to view every property from as wide a perspective as possible, bearing in mind the type of guest that will be attracted to the property.

The answers to Charlotte’s questions would therefore be of particular interest to us when writing our reviews. We are planning to do another 10-12 next year, when we hope to return to Tobago for 2 months.

Taking the question a stage further, during our last trip we decided that we need a sort of crib sheet to help during our review research. A form, with all the relative questions that we should consider and/or look for at the property so that we don’t forget things. Such a form would prove invaluable when writing the reviews and for answering questions later.

Sadly, I doubt whether any such list already exists – but with a bit of luck, a reader connected with the hotel industry might know of one and be able to provide a copy. Preparing it from scratch is going to be quite a bit of work, but that is what we currently anticipate having to do.

My question to readers is: what sort of things things should we consider – both generally and very specifically?

[Julia C.]

Having read a lot of your accommdation reviews Steve I'd say you're doing a very good job without a crib sheet, but I'm sure having one would make it a lot easier.
Some specifics I would find helpful are:
- Are beach towels provided? (There's nothing worse than packing beach towels and not needing them, except of course not packing them and then having to buy some!)
- Distances to nearest facilities - I always find it reasuring when I read descriptions like "Less than a five minute stroll" I've done walks that were described as "only twenty minutes" and have felt that they must have been done at a jog, by someone with very long legs on a very cool day!
- Bedside lights? I wouldn't not go somewhere if there were none and most everything else seemed good, but they are quite high on my priority list.
That's all I have for the moment.

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Julia

That's exactly the sort of stuff I need. I’ll blame my age again – the old brain box isn’t as sharp as it used to be. We tend to get carried away with the emotion of the moment and forget little things like bedside lights. I remember how frustrated we were when we reviewed Villa Being last year and found that there were no bedside lamps and the only light in the room was at the opposite end of the bed. To read in bed, you had to turn the wrong way. How stupid!

Anyway, I’ve started a new document and will keep a list of items like your three suggestions to help us put that crib form together before next year’s visits.

[Peter Allday]

Steve,

the list sounds like a great idea. I must admit from my point of view at the moment the things that we are most interested in are the facilities for Children. What kind of activities there are, are there alot of children to play with etc. Another question that may be of interest for hotels would be is there somewhere to get food/drink at 5 in the morning. Not that I really expect there to be, but when waking early due to the time difference it is sometimes difficult to explain to a 2 yr old why there is no breakfast.

[Steve Wooler]

Thanks, Peter.

That is exactly my point - with our youngest being nearly 30, we just don't think about things from a young parent's point of view, so your four questions have gone on the list.

The thing is that most of these questions will seem obvious - to some people. They can equally, of course, be the last thing on the mind of others. That's why I would like to try and cover all bases.

[Marc Jones]

When I do my Opus "Rex Turtle" review I'll be strong on 8 year olds. I only have one, I'll let you know how he got on (point being he has no siblings to distract him from his enforced playstation/cartoons hiatus).

[Juliette J]

I'm interested in this posting about 'needs and expectations of visitors..' although i think it's gone slightly away from the initial posting!!
My family went out 'enmass' with friends as well for Rachel and Andy's Wedding in 2000 and we had the most amazing holiday ever! I don't think that you can generalise too much about the kind of people who will enjoy being there as, after all, we had 'the youngsters', mum and dad and my granny (although she's a very cool and young granny!)! The people in the group who 'got the most ' out of the trip were definately those who wanted to 'explore' and really see everything and experience as much as they could of the island! I would hate to think that people would go to the island and stay in their All Inclusive and only see one beach! I'd rather they didn't go at all, but we're the type of people who go to experience not (just) relax!! We were fortunate to meet up with Woody ( and then Alibaba? Tours) at the airport on our arrival and then set up some trips with them and we also hired a jeep and basically went round the whole island! I think that you need to gear the adverts for your accomodation according to the people you know will enjoy staying there! There's nothing worse than ignorant, ungrateful tourists who don't appreciate such a beautiful island! RANT OVER!
JJ

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Juliette

You are SO right – we mustn’t generalise about the sort of people who will enjoy a holiday in Tobago. But equally, don’t be too hard on the “All Inclusive” brigade. After all, they are just getting a different sort of enjoyment.

Before I made a fundamental life-style change 15 years ago, I lived and worked in a high-pressure business environment, dashing between Europe and North America. To be frank, I only took holidays for the sake of my family. When I DID go on holiday, I simply crashed. I wanted nothing more than to lie on the beach, reading and relaxing. Another side of me – the “old” (and now “regained”) side, wanted to get out and explore – but to be honest, it was just wonderful to be able to lie back, chill out and make no decisions harder than whether to have a piña colada or a beer. There are probably a lot of other visitors who feel exactly the same. It doesn't mean they're ignorant.

Another point. No matter where I go, I personally NEVER go to every popular sightsteeing spot. If I like a place (and let's be honest, you'll have decided that long before visiting everywhere), then I always like to know that there will be something new, somewhere I haven't visited before, to experience on a future visit.

Anyway, we mustn’t complain. After all, while the "All Inclusive" brigade are relaxing at the resort they are keeping local staff employed and are not cluttering up the roads, beaches and sightseeing spots for the more adventurous visitor.

[Joanne]

Hi

Steve I think your Crib Sheet/Fact File is an excellent idea. Health and Safety info is always handy when visiting somewhere new; and especially if you are taking children.

Where is the nearest doctor/hospital/pharmacy/dentist to the hotel
What are their opening times

Also, pre-arrival info such as vaccination requirements

Can you tell I work with the NHS??

[Juliette J]

Hi Steve
You are right! Sorry if i came on a bit strong!! I'm from a family of 'up and at 'ems' and my hubby likes the same sort of holiday as me so i get a bit carried away! Everyone has the right to enjoy the style of holiday they need or want! But.... if you read this and are planning to go to Tobago PLEASE explore the island and see the amazing diversity it has to offer. Don't miss a trip into the rainforest as that is an amazing experience!
JJ

[Steve Wooler]

Hear, hear Juliette!