WTM 2005: Significant Visitor Increase for Trinidad And Tobago
LONDON, UK, November 8, 2005. The annual number of visitors to Trinidad & Tobago is set to increase by 8% in 2005. In real terms, this means that the number of arrivals for leisure, events and conference tourism will be pushing towards the half million mark by the end of the year.
This is an impressive achievement which, coupled with World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) forecasts of a 5.2% sector growth per annum over 2006 to 2015, establishes Trinidad & Tobago as the second fastest growing travel and tourism economy in the Caribbean.
A large delegation of Trinidad and Tobago tourism representatives, hoteliers and attraction owners led by Minister of Tourism Mr Howard Chin Lee and new Director of Tourism, Mr James Hepple, will be at World Travel Market in London this month to discuss the new developments taking place on the islands.
A combination of factors is contributing towards the islands' growth, key among which is the work being done to maintain and improve international competitiveness.
The strategic thrust of this work includes the upgrading of the existing room stock on the islands to international standards and the establishment of a sound base of new rooms, led by the 5-star end of the market. It also includes positioning Port-of-Spain (Trinidad) as the Meetings and Convention Capital of the Southern Caribbean and the Business Centre of the Sub-region.
In addition, there are plans to improve selected sites and attractions and develop various facets of the 'product'; increase the airlift service to both islands, as well as enhancing industry standards and quality service through human resource development and industry training.
On-going strategy also includes raising awareness of the economic and social benefits of travel and tourism among the population, providing a one-stop-shop to reduce bureaucracy, streamlining the process for travel and tourism, and developing an identifiable Trinidad & Tobago brand to raise the country's profile worldwide.
The Trinidad and Tobago Tourism Development Company Limited is mandated to develop and promote the islands' tourism product.For more information on Trinidad & Tobago ring free phone 0800 804 8787 or visit www.visitTNT.com.
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