Tourism
From The Report: Trinidad & Tobago 2020
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With the ingredients of a typical Caribbean sun, sea and sand destination, an ecotourism centre and MICE gathering point, Trinidad and Tobago has significant potential to develop its tourism sector further. After a slow start following the creation of two organisations that will promote the islands as independent but culturally interconnected international destinations, progress is starting to be seen. Investment in hotel infrastructure by established global operators and the construction of a new terminal at ANR Robinson International Airport in Tobago is also hoped to spur additional foreign investment. Furthermore, the development of niche tourism through sporting events and ecotourism is likely to attract a new market of travellers looking for something beyond the traditional beach-centric model. This chapter contains an interview with Randall Mitchell, Minister of Tourism.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Standing out: The country seeks to elevate its position in a competitive region by focusing on business and events, sports and ecotourism
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While less prominent on the international tourism radar than other Caribbean destinations such as Barbados or the Bahamas, Trinidad and Tobago – particularly the latter island – has been able to capture a share of high-spending tourists from the US, the UK and Canada. Tobago’s smaller economy and natural landscape is more orientated towards leisure tourism than Trinidad, while the larger island continues to build on its established meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) segment. The…

Interview

Destination strategy: Randall Mitchell, Minister of Tourism, on diversification, regional collaboration, and education and awareness
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Interview:Randall Mitchell To what extent have efforts been taken to diversify Trinidad and Tobago’s tourism offerings? RANDALL MITCHELL: T&T has three distinct destination marketing brands, namely Trinidad for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE); Tobago for leisure-based tourism; and Destination Trinidad and Tobago. The short-term strategy for the growth of the MICE segment is the development of homegrown conferences, which would not be dependent on the traditional…

Analysis

Dual approach: Unique island offerings require distinct promotion methods
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In 2017 the government dissolved the Tourism Development Company and formed two new organisations in its place: the Tobago Tourism Agency (TTA) and the Tourism Trinidad Destination Management Company Limited (TTL). The bodies were established to promote each island as its own independent tourist destination, with Trinidad focusing on meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) visitors, and Tobago targeting the leisure market. However, the two agencies have been somewhat slow to establish…