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Tourism Trinidad Limited (TTL) recently took part in the highly anticipated Tourism Industry Marketing Conference, a key event during Caribbean Week in New York City. This conference, organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Foundation, served as a platform for industry leaders to engage in meaningful discussions, network, and celebrate the vibrant spirit of the Caribbean. From June 5-8, 2023, TTL had the privilege of showcasing Trinidad and Tobago’s diverse and captivating offerings to esteemed colleagues in the tourism industry and the media.

The 45th anniversary of Caribbean Week in New York held special significance, as it marked the ongoing success of this prominent event. Over the years, Caribbean Week has proven to be instrumental in promoting the region as a premier travel destination, emphasizing its natural beauty, cultural richness, and warm hospitality. The conference brought together stakeholders from various sectors of the tourism industry, providing invaluable opportunities for collaboration and sustainable growth.

At the Tourism Industry Marketing Conference, TTL’s representatives actively participated in a series of engaging sessions and panel discussions. These sessions covered topics such as innovative marketing strategies, emerging trends, and the future of Caribbean tourism. By immersing themselves in these conversations, TTL gained valuable insights from industry experts and contributed to shaping the future of Trinidad and Tobago’s tourism sector.

In an increasingly digital world, TTL recognized the importance of leveraging social media and digital platforms to amplify their message and reach a global audience. Through captivating visual content, live streams, and well-executed social media campaigns, TTL showcased the picturesque landscapes, vibrant festivals, and unique cultural experiences that Trinidad and Tobago has to offer. These efforts aimed to inspire wanderlust and encourage travelers to explore the wonders of the destination.

Participating in the Tourism Industry Marketing Conference during Caribbean Week in New York City has further solidified Trinidad and Tobago’s commitment to sustainable tourism practices and the preservation of its cultural heritage. By actively engaging with industry professionals, TTL fostered valuable connections and partnerships, laying the foundation for future collaborations that will elevate the country’s tourism industry.

TTL extends its appreciation to the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Foundation for their dedication to organizing Caribbean Week in New York City. Through their efforts, the region’s diverse tourism offerings have received global recognition, and industry stakeholders have been able to come together to drive progress and innovation.

Looking ahead, Trinidad and Tobago eagerly anticipates welcoming travelers from around the world, inviting them to discover the destination’s enchanting landscapes, vibrant traditions, and warm hospitality. TTL’s participation in the Tourism Industry Marketing Conference has positioned the country for a bright future, where it can thrive as a top-tier travel destination.

Let us celebrate the beauty, culture, and vast potential of the Caribbean region as we continue to promote sustainable tourism practices and create unforgettable experiences for travelers worldwide.

In June 2022, UNESCO invited Parties to the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, specifically, Small Island Developing Countries / States (SIDS), to participate in online training workshops on elaborating the Quadrennial Periodic Report (QPR) in a participatory manner. The workshop took place in September 2022 which saw participation from Parties in the Caribbean, namely, Barbados, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica, Belize, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The objectives of the workshop hosted by UNESCO were to sensitise participants on the 2005 Convention and the importance of submitting their QPRs as part of information sharing, as well as to discuss the need for involving civil society organisations, among other stakeholders in the Culture Sector in the reporting process. Parties to the 2005 Convention report every four years as one of their obligations.

Following the online training workshop in September 2022, UNESCO recommended that participants apply for technical assistance being offered to SIDS, to support the elaboration of their QPRs. UNESCO realised that the “common challenges” that SIDS have with being able to elaborate their QPRs, are the “lack of relevant data and information, limited capacity to assess and monitor the impact of policies and measures for the diversity of cultural expressions and fragile networking between governments and civil society”. The intention with this technical assistance is to support SIDS in the submission of their QPRs to UNESCO by 30^th June 2023.

The Culture Division in the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts submitted an application which was accepted, and coming out from this formed Trinidad and Tobago’s National Team for a collaborative approach to the reporting process as advised by UNESCO. This National Team consists of representation from the Ministries of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Education, Trade and Industry, Social Development and Family Services, Trinidad and Tobago’s Intellectual Property Office, and Bureau of Standards, the University of Trinidad and Tobago, University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago Publishers and Broadcasters Association, the Network of Rural Women Producers Trinidad and Tobago, among others.

With the support of UNESCO’s Diversity of Cultural Expressions Entity and the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean, key roles were assigned and a work plan developed to guide the execution of the technical assistance to meet the QPR submission deadline in June 2023. Trinidad and Tobago had the pleasure of being assigned Dr. Deborah Hickling Gordon from the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, a communication and culture-in-development strategist and member of UNESCO’s Expert Facility. Our assigned National Expert was Dr. Suzanne Burke, from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, whose research focuses on Caribbean culture and specializes in cultural policies and programmes.

Both Dr. Hickling Gordon and Dr. Burke trained and guided the National Team to understand the goals and objectives of the 2005 Convention, its monitoring framework and reporting process during a capacity building workshop, which took place from 24^th to 27^th April 2023 at the Ministry’s Head Office and Queen’s Hall. It was an opportunity to fully appreciate the importance of teamwork, learn more about the policies, projects and programmes of our respective organisations and form connections that seek to last beyond the technical assistance from UNESCO and the submission of the QPR for Trinidad and Tobago.

The capacity building workshop was followed by a multi-stakeholder consultation on 28^th April 2023 hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts and UNESCO in the Little Theatre at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts. The consultation featured greetings from the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Simone Thorne-Mora Quinones, information about the technical assistance project from Cultural Officer II (Ag.), Ms. Daniella Carrington, a presentation on the 2005 Convention and the reporting process with a focus on how civil society organisations can contribute by Dr. Deborah Hickling Gordon, key findings from the capacity building workshop by Dr. Suzanne Burke, and concluded with a sounding board for audience feedback.

View a recap of the multi-stakeholder consultation to learn about the technical assistance project in Trinidad and Tobago, the 2005 Convention and its reporting process, and key findings from the capacity building workshop.

Link to video: https://youtu.be/V3klwGrXupQ

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts invites civil society organisations (CSOs) to contribute to our reporting process through the completing of the CSO form. This is an opportunity to be featured for the developmental work you have been doing in support of the 2005 Convention and represent Trinidad and Tobago!

Some resources we want to share are the QPR and CSO forms, the 2005 Convention and more, available HERE.

Please submit your completed CSO form to nationalregistrytt@gmail.com by 9^th June 2023.

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts (MTCA) attended the St. Anthony’s College Career Day Fair on Wednesday 15^th June, 2022. The MTCA delivered presentations to six (6) groups of students (approximately 25 – 30 students per group) from forms 1 to 3 about the tourism, culture and arts sectors and the wide range of career opportunities available therein. In addition, career opportunities available at the MTCA and its entities were highlighted. The sessions were held from 9:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. There were also opportunities for direct interaction with individual students, who visited the booth.  Students were also exposed to the Steel Pan and advised of its importance to our culture, as well as the career prospects available to persons pursuing careers in the musical arts field.

On June 7 – 10, 2022, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, in partnership with the Royal Caribbean Group, hosted a nationwide recruitment fair which was patronized by over 2800 applicants. This initiative took place following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, on May 23, between Royal Caribbean Group and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts for and on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. On June 7, 2022, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Senator the Honourable Randall Mitchell shared more information about this recruitment initiative on national television via TTT News.

The Recruitment Drive took place at the National Academy for the Performing Arts, the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts and the Shaw Park Cultural Complex, Tobago. Staff from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Arts were on hand between 9 and 5pm to assist persons with their online applications and to pre-check persons before they moved on to the next stage of the application process.

Royal Caribbean Group set a target of employing a minimum of 2000 nationals in various areas including Cruise Programs, Shore Excursions (Port Activities), Guest Services, Beverage, Food Services, Food Production, Financial Operations, Marine, Photography, Gaming and Housekeeping. However, the nationwide response was overwhelming. Many applicants were interviewed and offered positions on the spot, while others were offered follow up interviews. Due to the high number of applicants and patrons at the events, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts assisted RCG in collecting the contact information of persons who were not able to be interviewed during the recruitment fair. These persons would be subsequently contacted by RCG for virtual interviews.

On May 23rd, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Senator the Honourable Randall Mitchell, signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Royal Caribbean Group represented by Wendy McDonald, Regional VP Government Relations, and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts for and on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

This initiative is geared toward employing a minimum of 2000 nationals in various areas including recruitment of staff for the Cruise Programs, Shore Excursions (Port Activities), Guest Services, Beverage, Food Services, Food Production, Financial Operations, Marine, Photography, Gaming and Housekeeping. Recruits to this initiative will receive training in the following areas: safety and awareness, skills and competencies required for the respective positions and Seaman Book for those selected for the Marine Department.

This initiative will aid toward the advancement of the recovery efforts of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago through tourism initiatives and international linkages and stimulate the local economy through employment opportunities, revenue generation within the tourism sector and an increase in foreign exchange.

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts launched its first in a series of major concerts and other cultural events since the COVID-19 pandemic, with the staging of Fusion, the Jazz Experience III. The event took place for the first time at the Naparima Bowl, San Fernando on Saturday 21^st May, 2022. The Pan/Jazz concert which has become a signature event in the national Jazz calendar featured the National Steel Symphony Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago (NSSO), as well as top local pan jazz entertainers Theron Shaw and Quinton Nicholas 736.