Tuesday, July 31 2012

Trinidad and Tobago will host two tourism conferences, scheduled for next year, which are intended to promote the country as a travel destination, Minister of Tourism Stephen Cadiz said yesterday.

The two meetings are the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) conference on sustainable tourism development as well as the 11th Travel Professionals of Colour (TPOC) International Conference and Trade Show. “It will raise the profile of TT as a place of business,” said Cadiz at a press conference at the International Waterfront Centre, Wrightson Road Port-of-Spain.

He said when such events are hosted in the country every dollar finds its way into the economy. As tourists require hotel accommodations, tours and airfares. The money touches everyone, said Cadiz. He said another benefit of the conference is for the Caribbean to work together which means better business for TT. “All of us will benefit,” he said.

Cadiz said “as far as costs are concerned we try to negotiate everything,” but estimated $3 million will be spent on the events. He said, however, from his experience as a former Minister of Trade, through sponsorship and negotiations, it may not even cost taxpayers a cent. He added that negotiations will be made for everything from venues to room rates.

Gail Henry, CTO’s sustainable tourism product specialist, said the organisation’s conference will address issues facing the economy, society and the environment and find solutions to them. Charlotte Haymore, president of TPOC, said a high percentage of African Americans are interested in TT culture and what we do. She said the conference, which is to be hosted next August, will help TT and the United States to intertwine through workshops and seminars.