TT tourism benefit from French Caribbean Road Show

The Tourism Ministry says local tourism stakeholders recently benefitted from the November 2016 "Trinidad and Tobago (TT) French Caribbean Road Show".

Having learned about the "culturally rich vacation destination" that is TT; during presentations in Martinique and Guadeloupe, 19 people from Martinique subsequently chose to visit TT.

The ministry said the road show also gave travel industry personnel and consumers a chance to get more information on tour operators, accommodation, restaurants and experiences, which would "come together to make their stay an enjoyable one."

"The TT delegation enticed the group of 19 persons from Martinique into booking an all-inclusive package which included meet and greet, return airport transfers, accommodation and ten days of activities inclusive of a one day tour to Tobago in the month of July 2017. While visiting TT, the group stayed at Coblentz Inn Boutique Hotel (Coblentz) located in Cascade, Port-of-Spain," the ministry stated.

During a farewell dinner for the group; held on July 19 at Coblentz, Tourism Minister, Shamfa Cudjoe, shared her vision for the tourism industry and highlighted why it was critical that the ministry fully supported the road show last November.

"The economic benefits to be derived through inter-island tourism is manifold, especially as it pertains to retaining foreign exchange within the Caribbean region as well as sustainability of the tourism sector."

Cudjoe also said initiatives such as the French Caribbean Road Show are important in setting the foundation for new and emerging markets, and also underscores the importance of public–private partnership to the growth and development of the tourism sector.

During their visit, the Martinique group enjoyed a diverse program which included a trip to Tobago, the Gasparee Caves, Paramin, La Brea Pitch Lake and the National Academy for the Performing Arts.

"The group expressed pleasure at the hospitality and professional service extended to them and have promised to return for Carnival 2018. The group departed on July 20 with many fond memories of their stay in TT," the ministry stated.

The TT contingent to Martinique and Guadeloupe also included representatives from the Trinidad Hotel Restaurants and Tourism Association (THRTA), Coblentz Inn Boutique Hotel, the Small Tourism Operators Association (STAOTT), Tourism Development Company Marketing Specialist, Carla Cupid and Pannist, Daryl Reid.