Chin Lee: Govt to restructure TIDCO

GOVERNMENT will restructure the Tourism Industrial Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago (TIDCO) within two months and part of the reason behind this move is the political abuse which TIDCO has been subjected to within the recent past. Addressing yesterday’s post-Cabinet news conference at Whitehall, Tourism Minister Howard Chin Lee said, “In the past, the function and the job description for TIDCO has varied. At one time, we are familiar with TIDCO doing things that had nothing to do with tourism, trade or industry. “The particular portfolio which it contains, which includes tourism, trade and industry, is somewhat diluted and unfocused.

All we are attempting to do is refocus the company in one direction. Ignore the industrial aspect. Having this particular entity report to one ministry and one minister and allocate more funds towards the marketing of TT.” Chin Lee said given the fact that global tourism and tourism in the wider Caribbean were expected to grow by six and four to five percent respectively in 2004, “Particular attention must be paid to the institutional structure created to provide the appropriate management capable of delivering an international competitive product together with the dynamic marketing and promotion programme to firmly establish TT’s brand recognition throughout the world.