Minister Mitchell welcomes MP Indarsingh's call to get vaccinated

Trinidad and Tobago: The Minister of Tourism Culture and the Arts, Randall Mitchell has taken note of comments made by Member of Parliament for Couva South, Rudranath Indarsingh urging persons involved in the Carnival, Tourism, and Hospitality sectors to get vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. Minister Mitchell welcomes MP Indarsingh's belated call for citizens involved in these sectors to adhere to the Prime Minister and his Government's call to get vaccinated. Also welcomed is MP Indarsingh's apparent abandonment of his political party's bewildering position as it relates to vaccination and its preference for curious, altemate remedies to combat the deadly virus. [caption id="attachment_36899" align="aligncenter" width="300"]

Rudranath Indarsingh(MP Couva South)[/caption] However, the Minister said, "While MP Indarsingh is very tardy in endorsing the Government's vaccination programme, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and the Arts has continued for over the last several months to ensure that all participants and stakeholders in the tourism and creative sectors continue to be healthy, maintain safe working spaces in anticipation of welcoming visitors and audiences through the resumption of the tourism, entertainment, and hospitality sectors.” To this end, Minister Mitchell has spearheaded several initiatives that are geared towards such preparation and the Ministry is resolute in its thrust to continue building its capacity. Vaccination Drive for Tourism and Creative Arts Sectors The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health conducted several outreach exercises to key tourism associations across the length and breadth of the tourism value chain Thus far, over 2.000 entertainers, promoters, tour operators, tour guides, tourism transportation providers, community tourism groups, and hotel and guest house staff have been immunized against COVID-19. Developed Tourism Health Protocols The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). Tourism Trinidad Limited (TTL) and the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited (TTAL), developed and distributed the COVID-19 Protocols for the Trinidad and Tobago Tourism Sector. These protocols provide strict guidelines to tourism operators and will ensure that their day-to-day operations are within both national and international health protocols. Tourism Stakeholder Health Protocols Training The Ministry's implementation arm, Tourism Trinidad Limited (TTL), has trained close to 1,000 stakeholders in the tourism sector as part of the roll out of the Covid-19 Protocols. This training gives sector practitioners the confidence that their business can operate in a safe environment for both their staff and guests. Attainment of World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travels Stamp The Ministry's commitment towards a safe environment for both visitors and tourism operators paved the way for the award of the WTTC Safe Travels Stamp. This stamp gives visitors to both Trinidad and Tobago the confidence that the destination and its tourism operators are adhering to strict COVID-19 protocols. Tourism and Creative Sector Recovery Given that both the tourism and creative sectors have been adversely affected by the restrictions due to COVID-19, the Ministry continues to engage with stakeholders in both sectors on priority areas for recovery and growth. To this end, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts has been engaged in discussions with practitioners in both sectors to develop realistic plans for recovery, which will chart the way forward. Apart from providing entertainment, instilling pride in our culture and engendering appreciation in our many unique sites and attractions, both these sectors are significant in their contribution to economic growth and provide income-earning opportunities to many citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. In this regard, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts is committed to the recovery of both the tourism and creative sectors through continuous collaboration and dialogue. The Minister thanks MP Indarsingh, although belated for his encouragement of those persons who operate in these sectors. The Ministry continues to work with its stakeholders to ensure that together we can chart a way forward for growth in the near future.

Minister Mitchell welcomes MP Indarsingh's call to get vaccinated

Latest

Related Articles