Photo: Marcus Daniel and Wayne Watson, recepients of Train the Trainer Certificates

The Division of Tourism and Transportation of the Tobago House of Assembly hosted the media launch for the annual Pigeon Point Dragon Boat Festival at the Milford Road Esplanade, Scarborough, Tobago, on Friday 4 May, 2012.

The Division has identified sport tourism as a niche to be cultivated and the Dragon Boat Festival is one initiative through which this objective will be achieved. Now in its second year, the festival will take place on Sunday 17 June, 2012 at the Pigeon Point Heritage Park.

The process has already begun with the Train the Trainer Programme taking place in April. Participants of this programme were awarded certificates at the event and they will use their newfound expertise to train their teammates in the art of dragon boating in time for the competition.

Assemblyman Oswald Williams, Secretary of Tourism and Transportation was in attendance, along with several dragon boat enthusiasts, key stakeholders and members of the media. Brief remarks were delivered by Mr. Theophilius Trim, interim chairman of the Tobago Dragon Boat Association; Mr. Keith Dalip, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Dragon Boat Federation and Ms. Hazel Douglas, Country Manager, Tobago for Digicel, the event’s main sponsor.

In his address, Secretary Williams expressed his excitement about the event’s second edition. “We have a good thing going here,” he said. “We have an event that is likely to grow quickly and has significant potential for providing Tobagonians with entertainment while utilizing our marine resources and giving us the opportunity to maintain active lifestyles.”

The Secretary highlighted the sport as an activity that builds team spirit, nurtures a sense of healthy competition and fosters a sense of community among participants. Considering these positive attributes, the Division purchased three dragon boats as a gift to the people of Tobago, illustrating the organization’s commitment to the development of the activity on the island.

The Division is confident in the Dragon Boat Festival’s ability to establish itself as a mainstay on Tobago’s sports calendar for both locals and visitors. “We have great expectations for tourism as far as this event is concerned,” said Secretary Williams, “and I invite Tobago to get involved.”