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*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 related47.6% 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 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013Arrivals 514,300 452,813 430,922 454,683 434,044
Main Markets
Year USA UK CANADA CARIBBEAN
2010 170,649 43,874 51,684 98,633
2011 156,109 40,891 48,710 101,745
2012 148,312 37,400 42,472 103,129
2013 140,994 43,224 61,681 104,359
Overview of Industry Performance -2013
Year 2010 2011 2012 2013
Arrivals 452,813 430,922 454,683 434,044
Year Germany India Central America
Venezuela South America
Colombia
2008 7,724 4,756 3,648 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
Air Arrivals Other Source Markets
Purpose of Visit The majority of visitors come to Trinidad and Tobago for: - Leisure, beach or vacation Visiting friends and relativesBusiness 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
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.
Policies:Introduction -National Tourism Policy Framework cont’d…
Policy Development
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.
Government’s commitment to the Development of Sustainable Tourism
Initiation of community project proposalCreation of sustainable tourism modelsEntrepreneurship development and creation of employment
Training, developing and strengthening local communities
Collaboration with both Private & Public Sector agencies
Community engagement and participation
Sustainable Tourism
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
Currently developing:-Sugar Heritage & Museum, Couva
(Amerindian Village) - First Peoples Community, Arima
Heroes Park & Museum, Fyzabad
Sustainable Tourism Models cont’d
PartnershipsTrinidad 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
Present Focus of the Ministry
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
Major Initiatives of the Ministry
Southern Caribbean Cruise Initiative
Infrastructure Development-Master plan for Cruise and Beaches
Airlift
Product Development
Development of Policies
Marketing
Implementation of the Southern Caribbean Cruise Initiative (SCCI)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.
Airlift-Expansion
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.
Infrastructure Development
*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.
Product Development
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.
Marketing 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)
Marketing Cont’d
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.
IMPROVING COMPETITIVENESS
Emphasis is also being placed on:
• 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
