-singer blames dilemma on local travel agent, promoter
RENOWNED international singer, Highland ‘Dobby’ Dobson usually refers to Guyana as his second home; but a peeved Dobson has been left with bitter memories occasioned by what he terms as gross unprofessional treatment meted out to him prior to his departure from Guyana during the early morning hours of January 3. Dobson was brought to Guyana on a contract agreement by ‘Barron’s Exclusive’ and ‘G. Spot Promotions’ of Linden to perform at an Old Year’s Night event dubbed `Night of Elegance’, at the L&L Social Club in the mining town.

Bone of contention
The issue has its origin in Dobson’s request for a flight change from the original early January 1, 2012 departure, when he realised that it would have been ‘a close call’ for him to arrive at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport for a 03:00hrs check-in following his Old Year’s Night performance.
Dobson had opted to pay for the ticket change at the airport using his credit card.
His Linden fans–in whose hearts he has long etched a place — in particular TV journalist Jacquey Bourne and Carson and Janis McCalman, proprietors of ‘The Perfect Wedding’ Bridal Shoppe — went out of their way to ensure that Dobson was accorded the famous Guyanese hospitality.
The McCalmans went as far as to throw an `impromptu party’ at their home on January 1, in honour of the vintage singer; and fans who were unfortunate not to have been present are still smarting at their misfortune.
This reporter has learnt that signs of an impending embarrassment began surfacing during the afternoon of January 2, another public holiday, when text messages and phone calls from a consultant attached to the travel agency through which the ticket was booked requested that the singer pay for the ticket in liquid cash before journeying to the airport.
There was even a request that the money be left at the reception desk of a city hotel where Dobson had been booked to spend the remaining hours prior to his departure. And this was later followed by threats to have Dobson’s flight cancelled.

Intervention
On being made privy to what was taking place, and sensing impending embarrassment for Guyana on the whole, this reporter, on Dobson’s behalf, sought the assistance of Mr. Carl Stuart of the Caribbean Airlines Limited, who sought to ensure that a seat was reserved for the Miami-based international singer.
Mr Stuart also assured that he can be contacted should there be any further developments.
When Dobson arrived at the airport, to his naked horror, he was told that the travel agent had cancelled his flight arrangements, making him ineligible to travel on the flight. And it took another intervention by Mr. Stuart to see Dobson on the flight out, notwithstanding the fact that Dobson had to purchase a one-way ticket to Miami.
Dobson says he is ever-grateful to the Caribbean Airlines’ official without whose input he would have been left stranded here in Guyana.

Surprise and disgust
Contacted by this newspaper for a comment on the entire episode, Dobson wrote: “I have been a frequent visitor to Guyana since the early seventies. I have done several concerts for Guyanese promoters, who have always exhibited the ultra professionalism that made my trips orderly, satisfying, and extremely businesslike. To my surprise and disgust, after performing at a sold-out concert in Linden recently, that ended in the wee hours of New Year’s Day, I was unable to make the three AM (03:00hrs) check-in time at the airport, and opted to depart the next day. I was willing to pay the change fee.
“The promoters, acting like amateurs, could not arrange the change with an equally amateur travel agent, hence I was without a ticket when I arrived at Timehri, and had to purchase an outgoing ticket myself.
“Sometimes promoting shows should be left to actual promoters, who know what they are doing.”

Travel agent’s correspondence
Meanwhile, the following is an explanation which a travel agent sent to Dobson, seeking to clarify the position she had taken on the matter. Needless to say, Dobson has found this explanation ludicrous:
“My name is Wonder Hall, I am a Travel Consultant employed with Universal Travel Agency located at 133 Church Street, Georgetown, Guyana.
“I was contacted in December 2011 by Ms. Leola Narine on behalf of Mr. Troy Hoyte to issue a ticket in your name for December 29, 2011 to January 1, 2012. Origin of the ticket was Miami to Georgetown and destination Georgetown back to Miami. That ticket was issued for travel, and sent to Ms. Narine. Pls view ticket coupon below.

“I was again contacted on December 31, 2011, requesting the return segment be exchanged from January 1, 2011 to January 3, 2011. The penalty and difference charged was USD220.00. This was relayed to both Ms. Narine and Mr. Hoyte. The sum difference was agreed upon, and I was asked to reissue the ticket for the later date, and payment would be made to Ms. Narine.
“As at January 2, 2011, no payment was made to Ms. Narine, and I advised that I would have no choice but to refund the ticket in order to collect the amount owed to the agency. I spoke with a Ms. Jaqueline (Jacqueline) Bourne, who asked me to collect payment after the passenger had travel(led). I could not do so, as instructed by my employer.
“I advised Ms. Bourne and her collegue (colleague) Wendella that once the payment was not made, you would have to purchase a new ticket at the airport. They both agreed that they would look after payment at the airport for the new ticket.
“Please note that whenever changes are made by a travel agent, that agent becomes responsible to the airline for payment. Payments CANNOT be made at the airport for a ticket that an agent does. I had no choice but to protect myself and my agency in this matter.
“I do hope this email will clarify all your questions and queries regarding the purchase, reissue and refund of your ticket. Note that it was a return ticket. Had the payment of the funds to change the ticket been paid, you would not have had to purchase a new one-way ticket to Miami.”