Tourists rebooking early for next visit - Tobago hoteliers pleased with new trend

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago - Tobago hoteliers are reporting a new trend among international visitors—many are booking their next visit while still on holiday on the island. "There has been a pleasing trend among international markets (that we have noticed) this Christmas. People who are here are rebooking for 10, 12 to 14 months down the road. And it's not just one or two properties—it seems to be going on across the board. We are getting very good reports about that, and we should not take it for granted," Tobago Hotel and Restaurant Association president Nicholas Hardwicke told the Express in a telephone interview Tuesday. The challenge now, he said, is to liaise with airlines to make sure people have the opportunity to book seats and plan their vacations in advance.