Package Tour or Not

[John Rourke]

I have been travelling to Tobago for holidays for 28 years and never used a tour operator and never would. However, for the first time I enlisted the help of a man on the ground to help me organise a holiday for my family and 40 odd of my friends.

Glyn Kirpalani of Holiday in Tobago immediatly found me suitable accomadation, flights cheaper than any I could find on the Net and car hire at a discount better than I could negotiate.

He was very efficient, and ensured we all had a brilliant holiday. I could not recommend him highly enough. His website is http://www.holidayintobago.com and is definitley worth a visit. An added bonus is that any profit made, by booking your holida with a local firm, is going to help a small business on Tobago not into the hands of a large multi-national company that gives little back to the island.

[Emma B]

Hi

I am really glad you had your holiday and all worked out well for you.
I have looked on the web site and it all looks great. I am sure they did a great job.

There are lots of independant travellers like yourself and this may be an option.

However for all travellers in the UK you should note the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pag ... 0184786707 Where it informs....

UK Consumers booking to travel abroad should be aware that the UK has legislation for companies selling holidays in the UK to consumers. These are in place for your own financial security. Companies outside the UK will not have the same policy and terms.

Make sure your travel organiser can provide sufficient evidence of security for the refunding and repatriation of consumers in the event of insolvency. This security must be in place by one of several Financial Protection Organisations.

Financial Protection Organisations
ATOL
ABTA
AITO
ABTOT
TTA

It might be a thought when pre-paying large sums up front for large groups. Please note this reply is in no way connected to a specific travel agent or company, just posted for general awareness.

Emma B

[B N I Lathuillerie]

First I must apologize to Glynn for the delay in this response as I'm about to "PRAISE" him and his staff for their "promptness" professionalism, courtesy. etc all that encompasses that of a "Great Business Man and Co.". And while we are on the topic of promptness for those of us living in the "Millennium" (at the risk of sounding harsh) "BE ADVISED HE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT ACTUALLY USES HIS P.C. AND MORE IMPORTANLY THE "EMAIL" FUNCTION"...

I first ran across Glynn's webpage last year on one of my many trips to Tobago, after emailing "NUMEROUS"....did I say "ENDLESSS", "alleged" car companies much to no avail, (which somehow still puzzles me?....."why invest, let alone have a webpage"?.....back to Glynn). From his first "immediate" response (and I'm talking before I even sent the damn thing.....he responded to me!!!....."YUP THAT QUICK") I felt comfortable with his ease of familiarity of what I know a business to be as opposed to the "any time business hour"....(which only works for me when I'm living in "any time moment").

Glynn and his staff are all well deserving of your business, as it's what is expected when you are spending “your money” cautiously. I GIVE HIM AND HIS STAFF THE "HIGHEST PRAISE"......so much so when I return yet again to Tobago in March of 2006…………….GUESS WHO I’M DOING BUSINESS WITH…..as far as my Car Rental Agent?...At least I know it will have 4 wheels!!....CHEEERS to you and your Staff……..U’RE THE BEST!!!!!!

[Brian Taylor]

"BE ADVISED HE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT ACTUALLY USES HIS P.C. AND MORE IMPORTANLY THE "EMAIL" FUNCTION"... ![/url]

that is way to harsh... beeing one of the businesses that always answer the same or next day (depending on tone of day and time zone difference)... and knowing agents like "sunbird holidays" and "yes-tourism" who do the same (and I'm sure some more places that I am not aware of right now )
I would not say something like that on a forum where people plan their holiday who never went to tobago and had no experience with booking, too.... gives a bit of a wrong picture!

[Steve Wooler]

Without in any way wishing to question Glyn's no doubt excellent service, I must equally condemn this posting.

Yes, it is true that there are many businesses on Tobago who do not deal with email the way they should. It is also true that the local Internet provider, TSTT, must be one of the most inefficient in the world and regularly "eat" emails. I have tracked TSTT email delays of up to six days. However, despite that, I undertake annual email checks sending dummy enquiries to businesses and find that over 50% of businesses reply within 24 hours and over 80% with 48 hours.

[B N I Lathuillerie]

I'm sorry both Steve Wooler and Alibaba-Tours were offended by my response but that's how I felt then as is my feeling now. I own 3 very successful companies in New York City (perhaps that'll explain my alleged "harshness" as I don't have time to "sugar coat" things). I certainly didn't get here by sitting around with what clearly is that "any time attitude" as is the practice of the "other" car companies I've contacted prior to Glynn's outfit. And while I'm fully aware of other companies that are as reputable as Glynn's perhaps one day they too will have "impressive clients" that will sing their praises. Call it "Capitalism at it's best" but if I'm willing to invest in anyone's company I expect them to jump, as I've often touched the sky when my clients call.

[Tara Phillips]

First of all i can appreciate your frustrations with that 'laid back' attitude when trying to organise something, however.....

Everything is relative, and we travel to Tobago for the friendly, beautiful, laid back Island. I have been to New York a few times, and although i consider it a wonderful city, it can in no way, or should it be, likened to Tobago. Something we are all very grateful for.

Tara

[Brian Taylor]

praise glyn all you like!
honnestly complain about bad experiences...no sugar coat wanted!
but don't give newbies the wrong impression and talk bad about places you have not even been in touch with!!!
hope you have more praise for some and constuctive criticism for the others...

and tara... don't worry, as long as pauls weatherforecast does not predict snow in hell, not much will change about beeing laid back here

ENJOY
STEPH (from busy and correct germany )

[Paul Tallet]

Hi Steph

I guess it is pretty cold in Germany

I think this is quite an important thread that has demonstrated very well how easy it is to call on someone's services ... decide the service is great ... then to make bold statements without consideration for the other competitors.

I really don't think B N I has caused any offence ... he is just a busy chap who has not got the time to sort his holiday out and needs Glyn's type of personal service ... but as a business person himself ... B N I should be able to relate to the inaccuracy of his statement if this is in the context of his own businesses and how unfair statements made of his competitors could affect his own business enterprises.

I guess credit, where it is due, should be given based on personal experiences and Glyn deserves credit for providing a good service to B N I ... that should never be taken away from Glyn.

To suggest that Glyn is the only person that provides any type of good service is clearly wrong if it cannot be evidenced.

This is a very good example of how not to give a review in this forum and the more that read this example the better.

Regards

[David Watkins]

Once again Paul,you have got it right!!!Could not agree more.
David

[Steve Wooler]

David - well said - both you and Paul! I couldn't agree more.

[Tara Phillips]

Brian and Paul, thats just what i wanted to have said......only you guys said it better, well put!

Tara

[Anthony P]

"impressive clients"

I connect to myTobago for my fix every day or two, but its not often that anything stirs me enough to stick my oar in. I'm a Tobago regular. This Glyn fellow isn't a main player and he's almost incidental to the post. This guy B.N.I. takes the biscuit though. Sorry, folks, I mean no offence but ONLY an AMERICAN could SHOUT at us all LIKE THIS and make such an utter TIT of himself in PUBLIC. The utter arrogance of the guy!!!!

"Impressive clients". Well, if this is the sort of client this Glyn is catering for, then I'm grateful that I'm not one of them.

Paul, I normal always agree with your well-considered responses to contentious posts but I must disagree with you this time. This guy HAS offended. I hate stereotypes, but he sadly confirms the one about New Yorkers being the rudest people in the world. To condemn every business on Tobago out of hand is insufferable. The guy is so "up" himself its unbelievable. What arrogance to think he is so much more qualified to condemn a nation based on one or two emails. If his enquiry to Tobago businesses was anything like his post, its not wonder that he got no replies - you'd have to be pretty desperate to be prepared to deal with him (no offence Glyn, if you read this).

[Paul Tallet]

Hi Anthony

Thanks for your contribution and I am sorry to learn that B N I has offended you.

Personally, I do not to take account of someone's nationality when considering contentious posts and then speaking publicly about them ... I try to be as objective as I can and seek constructive debate.

Whilst you are obviously very upset about B N I's comments I sense that your argument is weakened by your regrettable reference to B N I's nationality.

There are many very nice Americans that make valuable contributions to this forum.

Regards

[Tara Phillips]

I can totally see where you are coming from Anthony, i had the same feelings as you, when i first read that post. As soon as i saw 'New York' thou i took it all with a pinch of salt. New Yorkers, in general (i hate to say) are use to a fast efficent pace of life. And i can say that having been there, they are not the most patient of city dwellers. That is why i said it is all relative.

I dont want to see the day where Tobago can be asked to compete on any level with New York, what a dreadful thought! It has been said so many times on this forum, if you want western luxury, stay home, or check into the 'Ritz'. Certainly something BNI should do next time.

If you want a piece of paradise with wonderful local people, doing their best in a developing country, and are prepared to relax into 'caribbean time', then go to Tobago.....you will not be disappointed.

Tara

[Anthony P]

Hello Paul

I knew I shouldn't have ticked the box to notify me when a reply is posted. You've made me exceed my weekly ration of myTobago.

I take your point and I know it’s awful to generalise. I don't consider myself anti-American – or at least no more than many people in this current world situation - and would have been equally annoyed had the post been from someone of any nationality. I totally agree that comment on BNI's post should ideally ignore his nationality, but equally at a time when worldwide anti-American feeling is rising by the day, citizens of that country would do well to be a little more circumspect before exhibiting such gross arrogance and bad manners, even if these failings are national traits. I accept that I am rather doing the same, but BNI is unlikely to understand subtlety and sometimes it’s necessary to fight fire with fire.

[Paul Tallet]

Hi Anthony

Sorry about the myTobago overdose.

I won't make any political comments either ... I made one once in this forum and never again

However I do understand how B N I's comments will have touched a nerve.

I would just like to encourage rational debate in this forum when contentious issues arise ... myTobago is unique by allowing us all the freedom to express our views ... such privileges can get taken away when we get into 'cat and dog' situations.

Anyway ... I guess you need a couple of weeks off ... it's been a pleasure to tee-off with you ... stay in touch ...

Kind regards

[Anthony Mount]

Maybe B N I needs a touch of tobagoitis to appreciate that the world outside New York is more laid back and needs to chill, life is short enjoy it

[Jonti C]

As a naturlized American married to an American, I wish that some of my neighbors would consider their attitude before shooting their mouth off. Born in South Africa, I've been on the receiving end too long.

Q: Why do Americans like Tobago?
A: Because so few of them visit the island.

Hope this helps redress the balance. Some of us care.

[Kat Blomfeld]

What a horrible man BNI sounds!