There have been some cancellations by tourists to Tobago since the brutal murders of a German couple on the island. This was confirmed by several hoteliers in Tobago. The cancellations are suspected to be linked to the double murder of Herbertus, 71, and his wife, Birgid Keil, 74. They were found dead on Minister’s Bay, Bacolet, on November 22.
Speaking with the T&T Guardian on Tuesday at the Sea Horse Inn, president of the Hotel and Tourism Association in Tobago Nicholas Hardwicke said he confirmed three cancellations but was not certain if they were related to the recent double murder. Hardwicke called on the relevant authorities to do their jobs effectively and efficiently to bring those responsible for the murders to justice.
“At the same time we have to sit and wait patiently for the police to apprehend the suspects and have them brought to justice. This is unacceptable and outrageous. “We have to move beyond this, beyond just investigating when something happens. There needs to be a system, a structure so that things like these would be less likely to happen. We can sense the outrage, hear the outcry and the vexing,” he added.
Hardwicke said since the incident there have been no briefing by the TT Police Service (TTPS) with the association and other stakeholders. “I think we would have felt a bit more comfortable if there was a meeting with us but maybe there is nothing to say. Yes, there have been several statements issued already. However, investigators still remain tight-lipped about how the investigations are progressing.”
He disclosed that only the senior members of the association met in an informal meeting to discuss the ramifications, strategies and views. A hotel manager in the Crown Point area, who wished not to be identified, said while she could not disclose the personal information of tourists, she confirmed that when it was reported that the German couple was hacked to death, two of her guests, from Europe, decided to leave on the next flight out.
“They were an elderly couple and currently traveling the world. Tobago was their fifth stop and it was only three days they were here when the news broke and they just left because they said they became traumatised over the incident and wanted to get out. They had planned to stay for about two weeks,” the manager added.