Port of Spain, Trinidad – Friday January 17, 2020 - Tourism Trinidad Limited (TTL), met with over fifteen (15) business chambers and associations on Tuesday January 14, 2020 to brief the executives on the company’s One Year Strategic Action Plan. Taking place at the Tower D Level 18 conference room of the International Waterfront Centre located on Wrightson Road Port of Spain, this engagement is the second such stakeholder outreach hosted by Tourism Trinidad; the first being with our primary tourism partners in October 2019.
Mrs. Heidi Alert, Chief Executive Officer (Ag.) of Tourism Trinidad, and the company’s Executive Management Team presented on the company’s plans, objectives, and strategic direction. In her remarks, Ms. Alert said that Tourism Trinidad “welcomed the active participation of the business community as we strive to build a vibrant tourism industry and sustain its growth. We will be continuing to engage in this type of open and transparent partnership with stakeholders, taking cognisance that a robust and resilient tourism industry is built through collaboration among all players in the economy”.
The conversation focused on the strategies for the roll out of Tourism Trinidad’s campaigns for the key niches of sports, events and business conferences; in keeping with the company’s mandate and strategic focus. The discussions emanating from this business engagement were passionate and fruitful.
There was widespread agreement of the critical need for tourism buy-in at every echelon of society for the tourism industry of Trinidad to be viable and sustainable as well as the need for collaboration with the Chambers and Business Associations for the development of conference tourism.
The impact of rising national crime levels on the reputation of Destination Trinidad was discussed as an area of concern to the business community. Some of the recommendations made to improve tourist safety and security included furthering discussions of the implementation of Bicycle Police on the island’s sites and attractions and re-commencing the offering of Tourists Policing programs.
Other ideas and initiatives from the business chambers to assist with long term competitiveness of Trinidad’s tourism sector included: -
- Placing more emphasis on product development to assist with the growth of visitor arrivals
- Utilising the music, creativity and talent resident in our rural communities to reduce tourism seasonality
- Upskilling the tourism workforce by providing hospitality training and institutional strengthening to improve customer service delivery
- Participating at the business associations engagement were the Presidents and/or representatives from the under-mentioned business associations:
- American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago
- Bankers Association of Trinidad and Tobago
- Chaguanas Chamber of Industry and Commerce
- Couva/Point Lisas Chamber of Commerce
- Downtown Owners and Merchants Association
- Employers’ Consultative Association
- Energy Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago
- Greater Tunapuna Chamber of Industry and Commerce
- Penal/Debe Chamber of Commerce
- San Fernando Business Association
- San Juan Business Association
- Sangre Grande Business Chamber
- Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce
- Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Service Industry
- Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association
- Youth Business Trinidad and Tobago