TRINIDAD & TOBAGO BRINGS THE TRUE CARIBBEAN TO THE HOLIDAY & TRAVEL SHOW, GLASGOW

The Tourism Development Company (TDC) of Trinidad & Tobagowill be attending Glasgow’s Holiday & Travel Show and is inviting visitors and media to experience the ‘True Caribbean’ at its stand. In addition to showcasing the islands’ diverse leisure proposition – which includes an unsurpassed eco product, world-class diving, cuisine, culture, pan and, of course, stunning beaches – delegates visiting the stand will find out what is happening in Trinidad & Tobago in 2009.

This year Trinidad & Tobago is launching its inaugural educational programme for schools, ‘Sounds Like Tobago’. The initiative will allow UK primary school children between 5-11 years of age to discover Tobago through a series of fun projects, supported by specially designed packs that include games, puzzles and a competition to design a steel pan. The competition will be judged by tourism officials from Tobago who will visit the schools every three months from March 2009.  The lucky winners will get to travel to the island to see their steel pan design being made. ‘Sounds Like Tobago’ will have a dedicated web site, www.soundsliketobago.com, which will be run by children from both countries to further cement community links and exchange programmes between the UK and Tobago.

The TDC of Trinidad & Tobago has a comprehensive calendar of sports tourism events in 2009. In July Trinidad and Tobago will host the First Caribbean Games. The event is expected to attract a world-wide interest given the performance of Caribbean athletes at the Beijing Olympics. The Caribbean Games will offer a feast of sporting excellence, with many of the world’s great athletes performing in their natural environment. Other event highlights next year include the five day test match between England & the West Indies, which is taking place in Trinidad in 2009, as well as the 20/20 cricket.

The initiatives will bring to life the sporting opportunities on the islands, which range from football, cricket and athletics to fishing, kayaking and surfing. International class road cycling, diving, yachting and eco-adventure tourism programmes will offer travellers to the islands new and exciting opportunities to experience the best the islands have to offer.

Tobago is also promoting a new partnership with Monarch, who commenced weekly flights from London Gatwick to Tobago in December 2008.  The Monarch group of companies offers packages, flight only and hotel only arrangements. Packages through Monarch Holidays (www.monarchholidays.co.uk) are available for seven, 14 and 21 night durations.

The 5th Plymouth Jazz Festival will take place on the 19-26 April 2009. In previous years the Plymouth Jazz Festival line-ups have included prestigious, world-renowned artists such as Elton John, Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, Sting, LL Cool J, Mary J. Blige, Stevie Wonder and Whitney Houston. The event will take place starting with jazz on the fringe and pan jazz. 

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will be held in Port of Spain, Trinidad on November 27-29, 2009, providing further proof that Trinidad & Tobago are home to some of the best meetings and incentives facilities in the Caribbean. Thriving and energetic, the islands of Trinidad & Tobago are getting serious about meetings and incentives with the Government investing TT$ 1.8 billion to improve the islands’ infrastructure. The twin islands combine the sun and sea ethos of the Caribbean with the dynamic cultural influences of South America, Africa and Asia. Delegates representing business hotels in Trinidad such as Hilton, Hyatt Regency, Holiday Inn Express and Courtyard Marriott will all be on hand to demonstrate the islands’ second-to-none business acumen and provide updates on why doing business in Trinidad & Tobago is always a pleasure.