Features

St. Lucians Embrace Brand T&T

img: Patrons at T&T showcase

TRINIDAD & Tobago made a big splash during a two day Roadshow in St. Lucia last week, encouraging St. Lucians to “Come Enjoy T & T.”

St. Lucians responded enthusiastically, turning out in droves to a T&T Showcase at the Blue Coral Mall in downtown Castries on Thursday. The full day trade show saw a lot of foot traffic through the Mall. Patrons availed themselves of a range of T&T and Caribbean Airlines branded paraphernalia, including flyers, brochures, booklets, bookmarks, pens, key rings, key holders and pouches. One lucky patron also won a Trip to Trinidad on Caribbean Airlines.

At a Cocktail and Gala Dinner at the Coal Pot Restaurant in Vigie on the evening of Wednesday seven local travel agents won a FAM Trip to Trinidad & Tobago. A local couple also won a Trip for 2 to Trinidad on Caribbean Airlines. Over 20 local travel agents attended the Gala Evening, which climaxed with an energetic performance by Tobago¬born Oscar B of Byron Lee & The Dragonaires fame.

img: Carla Cupid of TDC
Carla Cupid of TDC
img: Patrons at T&T showcase
Patrons at T&T showcase
img: Getting down with Oscar
Getting down with Oscar

Marketing Specialist at the Tourism Development Company of Trinidad & Tobago – Carla Cupid, said while Trinidad is famous for its carnival, it has a good eco¬tourism product with over 468 species of birds, 650 species of butterflies, and other stellar attractions for nature lovers such as Rock Climbing and Hiking. According to Cupid, ziplining is growing in popularity among visitors to Trinidad. She was happy to report that the Ziplining in Trinidad is run by St. Lucians. Tobago boasts sand, sea and sun, but it’s also famous for its festivals including the Heritage Festival, the Blue Food Festival, Goat Racing, and Crab Racing. Tobago is also a major destination for diving, with the largest Coral Reef in the Western Hemisphere.

Cupid said: “When we looked at the data in terms of our visitor arrivals to Trinidad & Tobago, St. Lucia was one of the major contributors to that statistic. However, over time, arrivals from St. Lucia declined by almost 50 percent, so we felt the time was opportune to reintroduce the T&T Brand to St. Lucia.”

Approximately 4500 St. Lucians travel to Trinidad each year. An estimated 14,731 nationals of Trinidad & Tobago visited St. Lucia in 2015. A contingent from the St. Lucia Tourist Board was recently in Trinidad on a similar promotion. Cupid believes there are benefits to be gained from closer collaboration and networking among tourism entities in the region, as it would help increase intra¬regional travel and boost the economies of CARICOM member countries. Cupid believes that high airfares, due in large measure to high taxes – is a major impediment to intra¬regional travel. She said the TDC is working very closely with Caribbean Airlines to make travel to Trinidad & Tobago more affordable to all.

In terms of affordability, Cupid said: “Trinidad & Tobago is on par with the rest of the Caribbean. Our tourism product is very diverse. Apart from the large hotels like the Hilton, we have mid¬size hotels and small bed and breakfast properties where you can do self¬-catering. So we have something for everyone.”

The Come Enjoy T&TRoadshow is part of a continued thrust by the TDC to promote intra¬regional travel among the islands of the Caribbean. Curacao is their next stop.

For more Information please contact: Nova Alexander | Mobile: 1 758 718 5535 | Email: [email protected] http://www.gotrinidadandtobago.com/

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