TOBAGO is set to create history this week, hosting its first-ever Carnival, titled Ritual, Revelry, Release, from October 28-30.
And as the journey to the long-awaited event enters its final leg, hundreds of visitors are expected on the island to participate in the festivities.
Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association vice-president Carol-Ann Birchwood-James estimates that the occupancy rate in the accommodation sector is about 95 per cent among its membership. But she expects to get a clearer picture by Tuesday.
Birchwood-James said two weeks ago four of the big hotels, two guesthouses and one villa were not fully booked.
'But I would say at this point we are about 95 per cent of our members. Occupancy is high,' she told Sunday Newsday.
Birchwood-James said she learnt that boat and airline tickets are going fast.
The THA and other stakeholders had been clamouring for more flights to Tobago for the carnival.
At the THA's Mandate Monday forum, Secretary of Culture, Tourism, Antiquities and Transportation Tashia Burris said Caribbean Airlines has provided an additional 19, 144 seats for the carnival.
CAL introduced two new direct flights from Miami and Barbados to Tobago for the carnival. There will also be two additional flights on the New York-Tobago route on October 23 and 26.
Birchwood-James said while she is pleased with the occupancy rates so far, she is hoping it reaches 100 per cent.
'We need that money to clear some of those outstanding bills (accrued during covid19).'
She said the island's tourism sector welcomes the Tobago carnival.
'We look at it as a positive event that can continue to take place in Tobago.'
Birchwood-James said as far as she knows, the association's members have not jacked up their prices.
'We have packages to suit everyone.'
She added some of their members are already enjoying the benefits of the carnival as some of the fetes and other events are being held on their premises. Musicians and promoters are also staying at some of the hotels.
The THA executive council approved $17.5 million for the carnival.
But Burris said on Monday, they are hoping to spend less because a number of sponsors had come on board to support the carnival in its first year.
'Our spend is really targeted to marketing and ensuring this is the safest carnival.'
The week is jam-packed with a mixture of private and THA-sponsored events. It begins on Sunday with Island Vibez' Soca Jam at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, from 3 am to 10 am.
Later today, TUCO hosts its Calypso Monarch competition at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex from 6 pm.
Tomorrow, there will be a tribute to veteran calypsonian Lord Nelson (Robert Nelson) at the Plymouth Recreation Ground. The event is being hosted by Tobago Music Arts and Culture (TOMAC).
The group will also host a mega-concert featuring Grammy award-winning Nigerian singer Burna Boy (Damani Ogulu) and a host of local artistes on Thursday at the same venue.
On October 28, Pan Trinbago takes centre stage with its presentation, Pan & P
