By Chantalé Fletcher
AT least one tour operator at the Caroni Bird Sanctuary is not happy with the hours she has to operate.
Lisa Nanan, of Winston Nanan’s Caroni Bird Sanctuary Tours, was glad that the Public Health Regulations allowed tours to resume but was not happy with the 5 am to 2 pm hours of operation. People are allowed to spend this same time at beaches and rivers.
She said, “Everyone knew the bird tours operated from 4 pm to 6.30 pm where we can see the Ibises coming in at five (o’clock) or so, the Ministry of Tourism was making enquires for us why that time was stipulated.”
She hoped that some amendment would be done to allow them to operate. “It has to be re-written and if it is not rewritten, this meant they would be excluding us from resuming our boat tours while tours in Tobago would be resuming.”
Meanwhile public relations officer of the Buccoo Reef Tour Operators Association, Michael Frank and owner of Frankie Tours and Rentals described satisfaction in the re-opening of tours.
In a telephone interview with AZPNews.com on Monday, Frank said, “We are happy that tours were re-opened as we were down for almost two years.
“We are very happy for any ease of restrictions and we are looking forward to working with the Minister of Health and all Covid-19 protocols to make this a reality and improve the Tourism product for Tobago.”
Frank stated the team was not ready as the boats were down for long periods which required maintenance.
He explained that saltwater caused corrosion of the electrical wires and these needed to be changed before opening.
Frank said, “We couldn’t rewire the boats until we were certain the beaches would be re-opened so now, we have to reconnect the wires, as well as the engines, which were in very bad conditions due to the length of time down.”
However, for those interested in Frankies, they would have to wait, as Frank said that safety was most important and they will not be ready to open until next week.
