00:00The interim chair of the Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Tourism Associations says stakeholders were caught off guard by news
00:08surrounding the Hilton Trinidad and Conference Center and are now seeking answers.
00:13She says the situation raises concerns about how the issue was allowed to escalate, noting that Trinidad and Tobago needs
00:21strong international hotel brands to remain competitive in the regional tourism market.
00:27She adds that the possible loss of the Hilton brand could leave a gap in the local hospitality sector.
00:57The Caribbean Islands, we have not pushed tourism, we talk in tourism, but it's just talk.
01:02According to the interim chair, tour operators frequently rely on the hotel and its absence could disrupt existing arrangements if
01:09no replacement brand or operator is identified.
01:13We are stakeholders because I am also president of the Trinidad and Tobago Incoming Tour Operators Association.
01:19We are what we call DMCs, so we actually use Hilton quite a bit.
01:23We use all the hotels to put it up here.
01:26So this one coming out of the system would cause a little gap in it.
01:31I don't know if they have a plan for somebody else to take over a different name, a different brand.
01:36We don't know, but the Hilton is a good brand and we would not like to see it go.
01:41She warns that the impact could extend beyond tourism, affecting workers, business contracts and visitor accommodation options, ultimately impacting the
01:50wider economy.
01:52Economically, it will affect the workers of the Hilton.
01:55It will also affect those of us who tend to have contracts with the Hilton and use that as our
02:01preferred accommodation provider.
02:04So because when you compare a Hilton with a Hyatt versus some of the other hotels that are available, you
02:13ought to look at price range.
02:14And therefore, the people who are coming in will also be looking at the price range.
02:19So it will affect the economy.
02:20She says the association is willing to collaborate with the government to develop strategies to navigate the situation and strengthen
02:28Trinidad's tourism sector.
02:30Our government is already stretched to find funding, so I do not know how or where they will find the
02:36funding for this.
02:37But we will be very happy to be at the table with them for us to come up with some
02:42creative ideas as to how we will navigate the situation, whether Hilton leaves, whether Hilton stays, how do we work
02:49the process.
02:50Sharla Kisto, TV6 News.
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