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T ourism Development in Trinidad and Tobago
Presentation at:
Special Session on Challenges and
Opportunities for Sustainable Development of
Tourism in Small Island Developing States
Busan, Republic of Korea
April 18, 2014

:
Trinidad: Area: 4,828 sq km (1,864 sq mls)
Location: Situated 10 km (7 miles) from the east coast of Venezuela.
Capital: Port of Spain.
San Fernando is the second largest city in the and is considered the industrial capital.
Trinidad is rich in natural resources, predominantly oil and gas.
The flora and fauna reflects its past linkage to the
South American mainland.

Area of 300 sq km (116 sq mls).
Location: 32 km (20 miles) off the north-east coast of Trinidad.
Capital: Scarborough
Tobago is more dependant on the tourism industry and possess natural beauty, with coral reefs, white sand beaches, and one of the oldest rainforest. The Tobago Main Ridge
Forest Reserve is on record as the oldest legally protected forest reserve geared specifically towards a conservation purpose.
It was established on April 13th, 1776 by an ordinance which states in part, that the reserve is "for the purpose of attracting frequent showers of rain upon which the fertility of lands in these climates doth entirely depend."

: Population: 1.3 million
Official language: English. However, French, Spanish, Hindi and
Chinese are also spoken.
This twin island state is diverse with a blend of many ethnicities, communities, religions, folklore and traditions, originating from
Africa, India and Europe
Religion: The majority of persons practice the Roman Catholic religion. However; Hinduism, Christianity and Islam are also practiced.
There are two seasons, which are distinguishable by rainfall -
‘dry’ season which lasts from January to May and ‘rainy’ season which extends from June to December

:
The Government sees “tourism as an important platform through which we will create sustainable employment opportunities for our people, create international relationships and allow the world a taste of the finer things in Trinidad and Tobago”
The goals for the industry are to: -
• Increase the contribution of tourism to the GDP
• Achieve sustainable expansion of the sector
• Enhance local tourism
• Achieve a more diversified range of tourism products

Travel and Tourism accounts for an estimated 10.67% of the country’s GDP and nearly 88,000 jobs in relation to direct and indirect contribution.
For Tobago alone: -
36.9% of estimated GDP is travel related
47.6% of employment is travel and tourism related
Trinidad alone: -
10% of GDP is travel and tourism related
13% of employment
Direct contribution of GDP 4%
Income generated in 2013 3.5 billion

Year
Arrivals
Year
2010
2011
2012
2013
2010
452,813
Main
Year Markets
Arrivals 514,300
USA
170,649
156,109
148,312
140,994
2011
430,922
2012
454,683
2013
434,044
2010
452,813
UK
43,874
40,891
2011
430,922
37,400
43,224
2012
454,683
2013
434,044
CANADA CARIBBEAN
51,684
48,710
98,633
101,745
42,472
61,681
103,129
104,359

Year Germany India Central
America
2008 7,724 4,756 3,648
2009 6,751 4,904 4,197
2010 6,437
2011 5,686
2012 6,023
2013 5,836
3,787
4,498
4,495
4,489
3,157
3,198
3,478
3,709
Venezuela South
America
17,680
Colombia
10,683 3,994
18,056 11,328 4,128
14,628
14,460
16,415
15,008
9,438
8,552
8,992
8,655
3,540
3,012
3,402
3,454

Purpose of Visit
The majority of visitors come to Trinidad and Tobago for: -
Leisure, beach or vacation
Visiting friends and relatives
Business and convention
Wedding and honeymoon

Maracas Beach
Las
Cuevas
Beach

Policies:
Introduction -National Tourism Policy Framework
The National Tourism Policy (2010) of Trinidad and Tobago provides a framework that allow for the sustainable development and management of the tourism industry in alignment with seven (7) Interconnected Pillars and is guided by the following principles:

Tourism development shall benefit ALL of the people of
Trinidad and Tobago;

Effective local community involvement shall form the basis of tourism growth;

Tourism shall be used as a tool for the social development and transformation of the country

Policies:
Introduction -National Tourism Policy Framework cont’d…
 Government shall provide an enabling framework and impetus for development;
 The environment is a primary resource base for tourism and sustainable usage must be practiced
 Tourism development will take place in the context of strong co-operation with other states in the Caribbean;
 The establishment of close partnerships among all tourism stakeholders must be encouraged;
 Cultural authenticity must be maintained through a cultural conservation and enhancement approach
.

The Ministry of Tourism Policy for Trinidad and
Tobago was approved in October 2010 and in collaboration with relevant stakeholders will facilitate three sub (3) draft policies for:
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Sports Tourism,
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Ecotourism
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Community-based Tourism.

Trinidad and Tobago hosted the 14th Annual Caribbean Conference on
Sustainable Tourism Development from 15 to 18 April 2013. The
Conference explored ways the Caribbean can enhance destination sustainability and competitiveness in the current global environment.
These included enriching visitor experiences beyond stereotypical urban and rural tourism products;
 intelligent destination branding and marketing designed to showcase these experiences;
 engaging and partnering with key destination stakeholders for successful destination planning and management;
 increasing year-round visitor spend on local goods and services; and learning from winning destinations' good practice models in tourism sustainability.

 Collaboration with both Private & Public Sector agencies
 Community engagement and participation

Initiation of community project proposal

Creation of sustainable tourism models

Entrepreneurship development and creation of employment

Training, developing and strengthening local communities

There are 3 documented models:
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Conservation model: Turtle Village Community,
North East Coast
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Coastal Recreational/Conservation model:
Nature Seekers in Salybia Community
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Agro tourism model: Brasso Seco/Paria

Currently developing:-
Sugar Heritage & Museum, Couva
(Amerindian Village) - First Peoples Community,
Arima
Heroes Park & Museum, Fyzabad

Trinidad Tobago supports one of the largest populations of nesting leatherback turtles .
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TheTurtle Village Trust was established to promote the sustainable development of local communities in the north eastern region. It is a joint project of the Ministry of Tourism,
BHPBilliton and the local communities.
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In many of the local communities such as Grand Reviere and
Matura, there are more turtles nesting on the beaches than there are human inhabitants.
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In Trinidad, more and more people are visiting these communities to take part in nature tours and observe the seaturtles in their natural environment

The key strategies that the Ministry has been pursuing fall under the following broad categories:
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Product Development
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Marketing and Public Awareness
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Competitiveness and Investment
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Safety, Security and Access
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Quality Assurance

 Southern Caribbean Cruise Initiative
 Infrastructure Development-Master plan for Cruise and
Beaches
 Airlift
 Product Development
 Development of Policies
 Marketing

The objectives of the SCCI are to:
 Create a year-round Southern Caribbean Cruise platform with an itinerary circuit to Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, St. Vincent and the
Grenadines and St. Lucia.
 Launch Trinidad and Tobago as the primary Home Port for the
Southern Caribbean Cruise Initiative itinerary circuit, due to its fuel bunkering and room stock capacity.
 Leverage Trinidad and Tobago’s manufacturing sector as a resource base for the provisioning of Cruise Ships supplies in the area of fuel bunkering, food and beverage, services, etc.
 Position the cruise industry and the positive economic impact from cruise passengers on-shore spend as critical to the development of the tourism industry in the participating governments.
 Develop and agree to a cost sharing model to fund the launch of the
Southern Caribbean Cruise Initiative globally and regionally.

 The Ministry has increased its presence in the international arena. At the International Tourism Bourse held in Germany in March 2013, contracts were signed with Condor Airlines for continued direct flights from Germany to Tobago and with Apollo Airlines.
 Thomas Cook which is the second largest provider of tourism services and products decided to take Trinidad and Tobago in their booking system starting winter 2013/2014. The company holds leading and reputed tour operator brands as Neckermann Reisen, Thomas Cook,
Öger Tours, Last Minute and Air Marin BUCHER, and the hotel brand SENTIDO and the charter airline Condor.
 Jet Blue-Jet Blue service started in February 24, 2014. This service is twice-daily non-stop from New York's JFK International Airport to
POS. The service from Hollywood, Florida is expected to begin on
May 1, 2014.

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Approval granted for the preparation of master plans for the development of beaches in Trinidad; and
* the conduct of a feasibility study and master plan for the development of the Port of Spain Cruise Ship
Complex and surrounding area.

 Upgrade of all Lifeguard quarters, towers and education are expected to yield increased safety and security, and loss of life by drowning on the beaches in Trinidad and Tobago.
 For the purpose of international, new and returning visitors, there would be continuous development and re-development of major sites and attractions such as Maracas Bay, the Emperor
Valley Zoo, Toco and the Sugar Heritage Village and Museum in
Brechin Castle, Couva in Trinidad.
 In terms of regional and domestic tourism, there would be continuous upgrades to existing sites and attractions throughout Trinidad with a view to developing sustainable communities for citizens and for the enjoyment of both the domestic and foreign markets.

Trinidad and Tobago is adopting a targeted approach to marketing the country through the following means:
1. Realigning the marketing focus to be consistent with the destinations’ core product strengths . The following focus areas have been identified in the case of
Trinidad:
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Eco-soft adventure
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Culture and Heritage
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The City of Port of Spain
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Meetings Incentives Conventions and Exhibitions
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Sport (Cricket, Golf, Cycling)

1. In the case of Tobago, the focus areas as identified by the THA are:

Sun/fun/party

Eco-soft adventure
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Weddings and Honeymoons
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Culture and Heritage
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Sport (Cricket, Golf, Cycling )
2. Source market specific campaigns emphasizing product offerings that are highly valued within each source market
3.
Strategically engaging the Diaspora through targeted media campaigns and event packages.

Emphasis is also being placed on:
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Infrastructural development
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Education and training
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Enforcing product, safety and environmental standards
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Fostering competition
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Adopting strong domestic policies
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Boosting sustained investment
Partnerships

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