Dear Editor,

It is exceedingly sad to see a population and especially its politicians embracing handouts as a solution to growth and development.

Cloaked under the guise of caring for the population, these handouts, given out as hampers and grants, dehumanise people and strip their potential for real growth and development. Instead, Government should invest in making starting a business easier and create avenues for enriching the population. One such avenue is in tourism.

Ask the car rental companies, the carnival bands, the hotel and guest houses owners, the fete promoters, the people who rent portable toilets, the tent rental companies, the sound and equipment rental companies, the truck owners and drivers, the people who sell foodstuff and drinks at the roadside, and the security companies, and they would tell you that carnival is one of the most lucrative times for them all. Flights are sold out long before the occasion and there is an inflow of foreign exchange from this one activity. That is the power of tourism and its economic upliftment.

Imagine, if you can, many of our young people trained as park rangers to patrol our beaches, mountains, hiking trails, caves, and rivers to make our tourism experience safe. That is a new source of permanent employment. Now imagine clean, clear trails patrolled by these rangers that leads to the top of our mountains, that guides tourists through their experience at our swamps, and to the many unique natural places of interests.

Imagine a private lease given to businesses to manage the entry to the Caroni Swamp that allows for safe and secured parking, a gift shop, and a restaurant. Imagine encouraging the cruise ship companies to invest in the development of Chacachacare with its salt lake; excellent, calm beaches; and jetties already in place. That island can have its own casino, restaurants, and nightclub all run by international investors who are seeking to provide a unique tourist experience. The Gasparee cave is one of the most beautiful underground caves in the world. With its clear pool one can see tracks that allow for a safe exploitation of this unique place, along with environmentally friendly lighting, all supervised by park rangers.

The beaches in Tobago, along with those in Trinidad, allow for excellent snorkelling. With newly constructed piers along the various sectors of the coastline, one can encourage tourists and families to enjoy hours of good fishing. With environmentally sensitive new roadways, access can be given to some of the most beautiful beaches along our coasts that are at presently only available by boat.

Tourism is just one area that, if planned properly, can provide long-term, secure employment and negate the need for handouts. The scrap iron industry, agriculture, and technology services offer similar opportunities for development. With a little vision, some serious planning, and a desire to enrich the people of Trinidad and Tobago, the country can be transformed from one seeking handouts to a vibrant economic hub.

Steve Alvarez

Trinidad and Tobago

bilcoa@hotmail.com