PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Tourism Dr Rupert Griffith will unveil Government’s vision for a more sustainable tourism industry in Trinidad and Tobago at this year’s World Travel Market (WTM) which kicked off in London on Monday (November 8) at the Excel Exhibition Centre.
Griffith is leading a 54 member delegation of tourism stakeholders, one of the largest to ever represent Trinidad and Tobago at WTM, which also includes, Tobago House of Assembly Secretary for Tourism and Transportation Oswald Williams; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Melba Dedier; President of the Tourism Development Company Ernest Littles; presidents of local tourism associations as well as representatives of Caribbean Airlines, local hotels, tour operators and destination management companies. The delegation will also include local celebrities Brian Lara, Dwight Yorke and actor Rudolph Walker who will be on hand to interact with visitors to the Trinidad and Tobago booth display.
Designed in the national colours and featuring large images which showcase the country’s cultural, ethnic and natural diversity, Trinidad and Tobago’s dual-level booth at WTM was designed by local artist Anthony Moore in collaboration with Mark Bird, and captures the vibrant spirit of our nation and people.
A hub for the national delegation to sell the destination, the booth will be a staging point for meetings with key travel partners in addition to a range of activities, including an Angostura “Happy Hour” and a Trinidad and Tobago Tourism Industry Certification (TTTIC) contest – where the prize of a seven night prize trip to Trinidad and Tobago will be up for grabs.
In addition to building the visibility of brand Trinidad and Tobago, WTM will provide local tourism stakeholders an opportunity to fulfil major strategic objectives including:
– Protecting Trinidad and Tobago’s existing airlift while seeking to increase flights to the destination
– Supporting existing trade partners and building new relationships in key niche target groups
Aggressive promotion of Trinidad and Tobago’s core niche markets including eco-soft adventure, bird watching, dive and weddings and honeymoons
Highlighting national tourism initiatives including TTTIC, the Hotel and Guesthouse Room Stock Upgrade Incentive and the STAR, national tourism quality service improvement programme.
The Minister of Tourism will also be attending several high-level meetings with other Caribbean ministers to discuss the continued lobby against the Air Passenger Duty (APD) implemented in the UK, in addition to holding discussions with Trinidad and Tobago’s travel partners, including Caribbean Diaspora organisations, specialist tour operators, airlines, hoteliers, British tourism officials and international media.
Griffith is also expected to participate in a range of high level summits including the UNWTO Minister’s summit on tourism and climate change. He also addressed members of the Trinidad and Tobago Diaspora at an event hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission on November 7.
Staged annually in London, WTM is the premier global business to business event for the travel and tourism industry. The four-day trade show not only provides a unique opportunity for global travel buyers, sellers and service providers to meet and conduct business under one roof, but also allows destinations to showcase their attractions and stay abreast of the latest developments within the travel industry.
