TRINIDAD – An indoor rock climbing wall, a live marine exhibit and real-life replicas of popular sites across Trinidad and Tobago are just a few of the main highlights of the Tourism Park 2006.
Themed “Explore the Seven Wonders of T&T” this year’s event will feature, in an exciting and interactive format, key elements of the local tourism industry, namely adventure tourism, sites, attractions, careers in tourism, sport tourism, festivals and ecotourism.
Hosted jointly by the Ministry of Tourism and the Tourism Development Company Limited, the Tourism Park 2006 is aimed at creating impact and awareness of Trinidad and Tobago ’s tourism product, in a manner which will capture the attention and engage the passion of our people.
The park will open from August 18 until August 27, 2006 at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya, from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Las year’s event, themed ‘Wet and Wild,’ attracted more than 70,000 patrons and that number is expected to increase this time around, since the Park will occupy both main halls at the Centre of Excellence – the Guillermo Canedo Hall and the Sepp Blatter Hall. Brian MacFarlane Design Studios is charged with the task of transforming these halls into exhibition spaces, representative of various elements of the local tourism product, including representations of Carnival – Trinidad and Tobago ’s national festival; Tobago’s Pigeon Point; as well as replicas of the old and new facades of Port of Spain , our nation’s Capital City .
Short tours, such as tours to Gasparee Caves; the Caroni Bird Sanctuary and tours of Tobago, will also be arranged by members of the Trinidad and Tobago Incoming Tour Operators Association (TTITOA), to raise awareness and to facilitate a firsthand experience of a few of Trinidad and Tobago’s treasured tourism attractions.
Adding impact to the simulated atmosphere will be a marine life exhibit as well as a visual reproduction of a waterfall, swamplands and bamboo forests, complimented by the sound effects of the natural environment. Media such as videos, brochures and large pictoral displays will also contribute to creating an unforgettable and educational experience.
In 2004, the first ever National Tourism Park was held for one week in August at the Centre of Excellence, and since its inception, the Park has aimed to provide patrons with tourism-focused, interactive experiences, such as the opportunity to interact with live animals, learn from our nation’s tour guides and view fun and educational videos within a highly entertaining atmosphere. Last year’s Park featured Trinidad and Tobago ’s marine and terrestrial wildlife and its décor incorporated a few attention-grabbing pieces, such as oversized sculptures of ants, sharks and jellyfish; a live caiman pond and other live animals.
