Foreign Office Report

[John M]

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 15 December 2002

I have planned a vacation in Tobago in Jan/Feb 2003 staying at the Coco-Reef based on excellent reports from a number of sources not least this website. I travel frequently throughout the year on business and as a result check out the British Foreign Office website regularly. If you look at the following link http://www.fco.gov.uk follow the 'travel' link and select Trinidad and Tobago. i was surprised to notice that British Foreign Office considers Trinidad and Tobago to have increased risk of Terrorist activity, i have tried contacting them directly but they could not provided any further information as to why this is. I know the contents of this site tends too 'err' on the side of caution, however if you look at the reports for Barbados, Antigua, Grenada, etc there is no mention of increased 'Terrorism' risk on these islands. The message just doesnt give you that 'feel good' factor in the light of the 'bali' bombings I am thinking of switching back to my old haunts on the Caymans. any info would be appreciated. J

[Steve Wooler]

Post Recreated: Originally posted - 15 December 2002

Hi John

I know one shouldn’t make light of these matters, but I must confess that one reading your email I did have a chuckle – not at you, please understand, but at the Foreign Office. Having failed to warn us about Bali, when other countries clearly published explicit warnings, the FO appears to now be going over-board to cover themselves.

The reason that I found it so amusing would be clear to anyone who has visited Tobago. Let’s just say that the density of visitors would hardly make it worth the risk of trying to smuggle the necessary devices into the country. I am guessing, but imagine that the FO warning is based on the ethnic/religious profile of Trinidad (but not Tobago).

I, too, am going to Tobago in January. I can honestly tell you that for that month that I will be on the island I will feel and be far safer than in any British urban location. You mention that you are thinking of switching back to you old haunts on the Caymans. You might, therefore, wish to consider the Foreign Office advice for this destination:

Most visits to the Cayman Islands are trouble-free. Following recent developments, including the terrorist bombing of a night club in Bali on 12 October, UK nationals world-wide should be aware of the risk of indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets in public places, including tourist sites.

Sorry, that was cruel, but I hope I've made my point. Relax, have fun and please, please share your impressions of Tobago in this forum when you return (see our Aide Mémoire on the Feedback page).