Transcript Tourism development in Trinidad and Tobago

* Trinidad and Tobago
Tourism 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
Introduction:
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.
Tobago:
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."
Trinidad and Tobago:
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
Tourism in Trinidad and Tobago:
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
Tourism in Trinidad and Tobago cont’d
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
Overview of Industry Performance -2013
Year
2010
2011
2012
2013
Arrivals
452,813
430,922
454,683
434,044
Main
Year
2009
Markets
Arrivals
514,300
Year
2010
2011
2012
2013
USA
170,649
156,109
148,312
140,994
2010
452,813
UK
43,874
40,891
37,400
43,224
2011
430,922
2012
454,683
2013
434,044
CANADA
51,684
48,710
42,472
61,681
CARIBBEAN
98,633
101,745
103,129
104,359
Air Arrivals Other Source Markets
Year Germany India
2008 7,724
4,756
Central
America
3,648
Venezuela South
Colombia
America
17,680
10,683
3,994
2009 6,751
4,904
4,197
18,056
11,328
4,128
2010 6,437
3,787
3,157
14,628
9,438
3,540
2011 5,686
4,498
3,198
14,460
8,552
3,012
2012 6,023
4,495
3,478
16,415
8,992
3,402
2013 5,836
4,489
3,709
15,008
8,655
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:
* Sports Tourism,
* Ecotourism
*Community-based Tourism.
Product, partnership and profitability
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:
*Conservation model: Turtle Village Community,
North East Coast
*Coastal Recreational/Conservation model:
Nature Seekers in Salybia Community
*Agro tourism model: Brasso Seco/Paria
Sustainable Tourism Models cont’d
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.
* 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.
*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.
*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:
*Product Development
*Marketing and Public Awareness
*Competitiveness and Investment
*Safety, Security and Access
*Quality Assurance
 Southern Caribbean Cruise Initiative
 Infrastructure Development-Master plan for Cruise and
Beaches
 Airlift
 Product Development
 Development of
 Marketing
Policies
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.
*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:
*Eco-soft adventure
*Culture and Heritage
*The City of Port of Spain
*Meetings Incentives Conventions and Exhibitions
*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
 Weddings and Honeymoons
 Culture and Heritage
 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
Education and training
Enforcing product, safety and environmental
standards
Fostering competition
Adopting strong domestic policies
Boosting sustained investment
Partnerships
Thank You
*Thank You!