By
Rebecca Gibson |
This article was first published in the Autumn/Winter 2016 issue of International Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed.
Twin island nation Trinidad and Tobago offers tourists two different and distinctive experiences. While Trinidad is characterised by its pulsating passionate energy, Tobago is renowned for its lush natural beauty and laid-back serenity. This rich diverse culture and heritage, and the joie d’vivre of our friendly welcoming people, elevates Trinidad and Tobago from the traditional sea, sand and surf Caribbean destination. We are the creators of Carnival – the biggest street festival in the world – chutney and music genres like calypso, soca and steelpan.
Located close to South America, Trinidad and Tobago is a natural choice for cruise ship itineraries, particularly because it offers easy airport access, world-class hotels, quaint bed and breakfast facilities, knowledgeable and certified service providers, and various activities and tours for cruise passengers.
Shoreside activities are a vital part of the cruise experience and, as Trinidad’s popularity as a port of call continues to increase, so too do the number and variety of available onshore activities, both in and beyond the city of Port of Spain. Visitors to our islands can enjoy free wifi and local entertainment, and purchase crafts and indigenous artefacts at the Port of Spain’s quayside.
Cruise tourists can enjoy ice-cold coconut water while walking round Queen’s Park Savannah – Port of Spain’s largest open space, which also forms the world’s largest traffic roundabout – or watch sunset from the Mount St. Benedict Monastery in Trinidad’s Northern Range Hills, or spot the Scarlet Ibis at the Caroni Swamp and Bird Sanctuary. Alternatively, cruise passengers can visit pan yards and mas band houses to experience the uniquely Trinidadian Carnival experience in a safe and secure environment.
Our Ministry of Tourism and The Tourism Development Company are committed to ensuring that every cruise visitor experiences the warmth and vivacity of our islands, so they have positioned Visitor Guides at the cruise ship terminal and in streets across the Port of Spain to provide more information on local points of interest.
Trinidad and Tobago’s government has prioritised cruise tourism as part of its efforts to diversify the islands’ economy. The government recognises the tremendous potential of the cruise tourism sector to generate increased employment and foreign exchange earnings. Presently, the average cruise passenger spends US$42.58 in Trinidad and US$74.18 in Tobago, while each individual crew member spends an average of US$23. This generates an estimated US$6.7 million.
To further increase cruise tourism, the government has also been working in close collaboration with the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), cruise ship owners and other valued stakeholders and regional partners. As a result, Trinidad welcomed 30,493 passengers and 25 cruise ships in 2015-2016, while Tobago hosted 70,298 passengers during 60 calls – an 115% increase from 2014-2015.
This success has been driven by several factors, including the fact that Trinidad and Tobago has proactively marketed itself to major cruise lines at trade shows such as Seatrade Cruise Global, and via face-to-face meetings with cruise line executives. Similarly, the Cruise Ship Complex at Port of Spain’s port has been transformed into a Trinidad and Tobago showcase through design and construction and the use of iconic cultural images.
We’ve also implemented a quality service training programme for those involved in the local cruise industry to ensure we deliver a higher level of customer service. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service have introduced additional security measures in downtown Port of Spain to ensure cruise passengers remain safe.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism has embarked on a massive drive to upgrade our established sites and attractions, including the popular Maracas Beach Facility. The re-development plan for Maracas, which is located on our scenic North Coast, will position the facility as Trinidad’s flagship beach.
Trinidad and Tobago expects another busy season in 2015-2016 and is already scheduled to handle 85 vessel calls. The 2017-2018 cruise season also promises to be quite buoyant given that Princess Cruises has confirmed it will start regular calls to both Trinidad and Tobago.
MSC Cruises’ MSC Orchestra and Semester at Sea’s 700-passenger World Odyssey will also call at Port of Spain. In addition, Saga Cruises’ Saga Sapphire will return to the Trinidad’s capital city, while Saga Cruises’ Saga Pearl II, Victory Cruise Line’s Victory 1 (formerly Haimark Line’s Saint Laurent), Holland America Line’s Veendam and Fred. Olsen Cruise Line’s Bremen will make multi-calls to both Trinidad and Tobago.