‘BEWARE OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO!’

TWO damning travel advisories by the Americans and Canadians are another dagger to Trinidad and Tobago’s struggling economy.

Canada, a major trading partner and source of tourists, has issued a stern warning to its citizens about T&T’s “violent crime, including armed robberies, assaults and sexual assault.”

Canadians have also been advised that “kidnapping for ransom has increased” and about the prevalence of shootings and gang- and drug-related violence.

In addition, there are also “petty crimes, such as pick-pocketing, bag-snatching and thefts from crime.”

The Canadian authorities said: “Tourists have been targeted.”

Also, “there is a threat of terrorism” and “home invasions are common and may turn violent.”

Visitors were advised against visiting beaches and certain identified high-crime districts.

The United States had earlier issued a similar advisory to its citizens, and it is expected that Britain and the rest of Europe would also update their warnings.

The US told its citizens in July: “Reconsider travel to Trinidad and Tobago due to crime.”

The Americans have prohibited its government personnel from travelling to certain areas in Port of Spain and other districts.

The US advisory stated: “Violent crime, such as murder, robbery, assault, sexual assault, home invasion and kidnapping, is common.”

So, too, is narcotics trafficking, while “a significant amount of violent crime is gang-related.”

Terrorists may attack “with no warning,” the advisory stated.

Both the US and Canada have issued Level 3 advisories for T&T.

Level 4 is the highest, with citizens being warned not to travel because of life-threatening risks.

The US, Canada, United Kingdom and France provide 70 per cent of Trinidad and Tobago’s tourists.

T&T’s tourism industry is the worst in the Caribbean, accounting for just seven per cent of gross domestic product.

Ironically, the Tourism Ministry, headed by Randall Mitchell, is touting a tourism master plan.

T&T has also been bleeding foreign investments, with a recent net outflow, and the crime crisis would not entice multinationals to set up operations in the country.