OMG Digital Magazine OMG Issue 271 10th August 2017 | Page 40

OMG Digital Magazine | 271 | Thursday 10 August 2017 • PAGE 40
TOP THREE: Ms.Heritage Personality 2017,
centre, with Garve Sandy (left; second) and
Kennicia Andrews (third).
PROMISING TIMES
FOR TOURISM
TOBAGO’S
SCOTTISH LEGACY
Tobago needs a memory. That’s the opinion of historian Dr. Susan Craig-James. She was
speaking during the recent launch of her latest book, ‘What Mean These Stones?’
The book was commissioned by the St Andrew’s Heritage Trust of the Anglican Church of
Tobago, to mark the restoration of the Scarborough “Scots Kirk” (Scottish Church) in 2015.
It’s a study of Christianity and Education in Tobago from 1808 to 1872.
Craig-James said there is a challenge with ensuring history is adequately passed on when
it is done so orally. Chief Secretary Kelvin Charles also paid tribute to the author, who he
said has earned his “profound appreciation” and Tobago’s “collective admiration”. He said
the information in the book is also very valuable despite the limitations the availability and
accuracy of some information.
“The reader is able to garner a significant understanding of how Tobago developed and
evolved during the period under review,” Charles said, adding that churches on the island
played a significant role in teaching slaves to read and write and “ensuring that there
was systematic religious instruction”. The launch took place on Wednesday (July 26) at
Scarborough Library Facility.
Tourism stakeholders are being encouraged to do their part to boost the sector. At
the July 26 launch of the “Stay to Get Away” Domestic Tourism campaign, Minister of
Tourism Shamfa Cudjoe said improving the air bridge is a critical step.
She said the airline’s officials have assured that it is addressing the air bridge. The
Minister wants more to be done. Cudjoe also said better tourism data is also needed.
But she believes the future of the industry in this country is promising. “… I’m very
excited about this new chapter that we are about to embark upon in tourism in
Trinidad and Tobago as we reengineer our tourism strategy and retool our tourism
structure,” Cudjoe said.