OVER 37,500 people visited Tobago for the Blue Food Festival and October Carnival, travelling by ferry and air, according to ACP Collis Hazel, gold commander of Tobago’s October Carnival.
The Blue Food Festival took place on October 20, followed by the Tobago Carnival over the weekend.
Hazel commended the national security apparatus for their efforts.
His commendation came on the heels of a suspected arson attack on a trailer truck belonging to the carnival band Bago Limers.
When asked to comment on this development, head of the Tobago October Carnival Association Dexter Sandy said the incident was unfortunate.
“It is really unfortunate that something like that would happen at Carnival but I really do hope that the authorities are able to find whoever the persons are and resolve it, because as any bandleader waking up one morning and hearing your trailer would have succumbed to this kind of damage, it could really dampen the spirit,” Sandy said.
Despite the trailer truck incident, Sandy hailed the third edition of Tobago’s October Carnival as a success.
“It was magnificent and on Sunday, the climax, I must say that from all accounts, all the bands that I interacted with said it was a success. Masqueraders really enjoyed it and Tobago Carnival—we are now ranking with all international carnivals,” Sandy said.
Sandy stated that the essence of the two carnivals is different and suggested that Tobago may need to tweak its approach for the national Carnival to avoid duplication.
“The national Carnival is really an opportunity for us to work with the kids, like the Kiddies Carnival. It is an opportunity for bands to work on different aspects of production and presentation—the traditional mas, the ole time mas, all those other elements,” Sandy said.
Sandy is, however, calling for earlier marketing efforts from the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), and more predictable seating arrangements on the airbridge provided by Caribbean Airlines.
Meantime, tourism secretary Tashia Burris will depart Tobago with a contingent from the Division of Tourism, along with Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, to attend the World Travel Market from November 1 to 8.
Burris stated at a media briefing on Monday that Tobago’s 2025 October Carnival will be promoted at the event, alongside Trinidad’s.