A Tobago tour operator known as \u201cMr. Piggy\u201d is calling for more activities and attractions on the island after declaring that this year’s holiday period simply is not delivering the atmosphere he remembers.<\/p>\n
\u201cSummer is not summering, sir,\u201d Mr. Piggy said during a street interview as he pointed to areas around Crown Point which he felt were unusually quiet for the holiday period.<\/p>\n
He encouraged viewers to look at the mall, bars and other normally active areas, questioning where the crowds traditionally associated with Tobago’s summer season had gone.<\/p>\n
\u201cTake a look at Crown Point. Take a look at the park, take a look at the mall,\u201d he said. \u201cTell me, is this summer?\u201d<\/p>\n
One of the issues raised during the conversation was transportation between Trinidad and Tobago.<\/p>\n
Mr. Piggy said he has heard complaints from people who say they have difficulty securing tickets on the airbridge and seabridge. At the same time, he questioned why parts of Tobago appeared quiet if demand for transportation to the island remained high.<\/p>\n
The comments represent his observations and those he says he has heard from visitors, rather than confirmed tourism or passenger-arrival figures.<\/p>\n
But Mr. Piggy believes transportation is only part of the problem.<\/p>\n
He argued that Tobago needs more major events during the July-August holiday period capable of giving people another reason to travel to the island.<\/p>\n
He pointed to Grenada and Barbados as competing Caribbean destinations and suggested Tobago risks losing potential visitors, particularly younger travellers, when they believe there is more entertainment elsewhere.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need events in Tobago for the summer holiday that will have Tobago how it used to be, up, vibrant and running,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
With the Great Race period approaching, Mr. Piggy questioned whether Tobago was doing enough to capitalise on one of the country’s most recognisable annual events and the additional attention it brings to the island.<\/p>\n
The interview also touched on racial discussions taking place in Trinidad and Tobago, but Mr. Piggy rejected the suggestion that this was responsible for what he was observing.<\/p>\n
Instead, he returned to a much simpler question: is Tobago being managed and marketed in a way that makes people want to spend their summer there?<\/p>\n
His colourful assessment ultimately came down to one memorable line.<\/p>\n
\u201cSummer is not summering.\u201d<\/p>\n
While official visitor-arrival, accommodation and transportation figures would be needed to determine whether Tobago is actually experiencing a decline compared with previous summer periods, Mr. Piggy’s comments capture a concern familiar to tourism-dependent communities: having beautiful beaches and accommodation is only one part of attracting visitors. People also need reasons to come, things to do when they arrive and reliable ways of getting there.<\/p>\n