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<strong>Trinidad</strong> & <strong>Tobago</strong>two isl<strong>and</strong>sone nationThe twin-isl<strong>and</strong> republic of <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong> offers visitors thebest of both worlds. This nation is bursting with a rich culture,stemming from a history of European colonialism, West Africanslavery <strong>and</strong> East Indian indentureship. <strong>Trinidad</strong>, the larger of thetwo isl<strong>and</strong>s, is an entertainment centre with a wide selectionof nightspots, restaurants <strong>and</strong> shopping destinations. Coupledwith world-famous ecotourism sites, <strong>Trinidad</strong> has something tooffer the nature-seeker as well as the party animal. <strong>Tobago</strong>, onthe other h<strong>and</strong>, is a wonder world for the nature enthusiast.A host of beautiful beaches, waterfalls, wetl<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> divingsites await visitors. <strong>Tobago</strong> is T&T’s tourist capital, with exoticaccommodations <strong>and</strong> activities designed specifically for guests.The secluded beaches <strong>and</strong> overall slower pace of life have theability to settle anyone’s mood. Combined, these two isl<strong>and</strong>sundoubtedly offer a one-of-a-kind isl<strong>and</strong> escape.3
History of thetwo isl<strong>and</strong>sThe history of <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong> begins with the settlementof the isl<strong>and</strong>s by Amerindians. Both isl<strong>and</strong>s were encountered byChristopher Columbus on his third voyage in 1498. <strong>Tobago</strong> changedh<strong>and</strong>s between the British, French, Dutch <strong>and</strong> Courl<strong>and</strong>ers buteventually ended up in British h<strong>and</strong>s. <strong>Trinidad</strong> remained a Spanishcolony until 1797 but it was largely settled by the French. In 1889the two isl<strong>and</strong>s were incorporated into a single crown colony.<strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong> obtained its independence from the BritishEmpire in 1962 <strong>and</strong> became a republic in 1976.4Fast FactsOfficial Name: The Republic of <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong>Capital:Port of SpainNationality: Citizen of <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong>, <strong>Trinidad</strong>ian(s), <strong>Tobago</strong>nian(s)Official Language: <strong>English</strong>Total Population: 1,300,000Currency: <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong> dollar (TT$)Time Zone: EST +1; GMT -4Ethnicities: The people are comprised of about 40% African,40% East Indian, the remainder being of European,Chinese or mixed descent.Climate:The average temperature is about 30°C (89°F).
Discover US6
Discover <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong>, a unique TrueCaribbean paradise.Bursting with spirit <strong>and</strong> a heady mix ofcultural activities, eco adventure <strong>and</strong> culinarydelights, there is no place in the world quitelike our tiny twin-isl<strong>and</strong> republic of 1.3 millionethnically diverse people.Our country presents a dual experience– from the cosmopolitan, bustling towns of<strong>Trinidad</strong>, to lazy days sunbathing on pristinebeaches in <strong>Tobago</strong>.The southernmost isl<strong>and</strong> in theCaribbean, <strong>Trinidad</strong> is an industrial giantboasting exciting nightlife, a robust energysector <strong>and</strong> growing manufacturing industry.<strong>Trinidad</strong> is also home to severalspectacular ecotourism attractions, includingthe Caroni Bird Sanctuary, home of ScarletIbis <strong>and</strong> manatees, <strong>and</strong> the Asa Wright NatureCentre, a birdwatchers’ paradise hiddenunder the thick canopy of our rainforests.Alive with nightlife, <strong>Trinidad</strong> boastsmyriads of options from Irish pubs, to livetheatre <strong>and</strong> modern dance clubs. But if<strong>Trinidad</strong> is the energetic heart of theseisl<strong>and</strong>s, <strong>Tobago</strong> is its serene soul, just twohours away from Port of Spain by fast ferry, or15 minutes by air.Covered by lush forests <strong>and</strong> surroundedby sparkling blue bays, <strong>Tobago</strong>’s waters arehome to spectacular reefs, boasting 300species of coral <strong>and</strong> colourful fish, whilethe isl<strong>and</strong>’s rugged spine is home to theoldest protected rainforest in the WesternHemisphere.From Carnival to calypso, steelpan tostick fighting, <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong> has a rich<strong>and</strong> expansive culture that represents itsdiverse peoples <strong>and</strong> history. Many countriesin the world boast of Carnival celebrations,but none quite as stunning <strong>and</strong> all-embracingas <strong>Trinidad</strong>’s national festival. Whether youdecide to be a spectator on the sidelines,douse yourself in chocolate <strong>and</strong> join theJ’ouvert revelry or don a fabulous costume<strong>and</strong> dance the day away, our Carnival is anunforgettable experience.7
8Culture <strong>and</strong> night life
The diversity of our people is reflected in the isl<strong>and</strong>s’numerous festivals, beginning with the two-day Carnivalstreet festival before Ash Wednesday, where the musicincludes the exotic sounds of our national instrument,the steel pan – the only musical instrument invented inthe 20th century.In <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong> each individual culture iscelebrated by our collective peoples. We celebrateDivali, the Hindu festival of lights; the Muslim festival ofEid-ul-Fitr <strong>and</strong> numerous Christian festivals.At Christmas time the isl<strong>and</strong>s abound with cheerymusic – carols of Hispanic origin we call Parang – <strong>and</strong>sumptuous culinary delights <strong>and</strong> musical merriment.<strong>Tobago</strong>’s rich culture is as diverse as the manycountries that fought to control the isl<strong>and</strong> – the Spanish,British, Dutch, Courl<strong>and</strong>ers, French <strong>and</strong> even Americans.The various forts <strong>and</strong> historical sites that dot the isl<strong>and</strong>are testament to the isl<strong>and</strong>’s former colonial masters<strong>and</strong> diverse history. The heritage of the enslaved Africansalso heavily influenced the isl<strong>and</strong>’s culture. Many of thefolktales, superstitions, art, music <strong>and</strong> traditional dancesreflect the isl<strong>and</strong>’s European <strong>and</strong> African roots. Theseare celebrated annually during the <strong>Tobago</strong> HeritageFestival, which runs from early July to August.Fishing, the mainstay of many of the isl<strong>and</strong>’sinhabitants, is celebrated with parties, sports <strong>and</strong> otherevents on St Peter’s Day. <strong>Tobago</strong> also celebrates anannual Jazz Festival, <strong>and</strong> the <strong>Tobago</strong> Blue Food Festivalis one of our greatest expositions of local cuisine.The festival is the annual “fest ground” for creativeindigenous cooks <strong>and</strong> chefs to demonstrate theirexpertise in local food preparation <strong>and</strong> explore newtwists on our culinary staples.The village of Buccoo, <strong>Tobago</strong>, can be described asthe goat <strong>and</strong> crab racing capital of the world. During theEaster holidays this little village draws crowds of curiousonlookers as specially trained goats sprint towardsthe finish line followed by jockeys clutching long ropes.In the crab race, jockeys have no easier task as theyattempt to prod the stubborn crustaceans towards thefinish line. But there is no glory for the winning crabs,just a place in a pot of spicy curry sauce.EcotourismIn <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong> there is an adventure for everyday of the week, from hiking through rainforests on thetrail of hidden waterfalls <strong>and</strong> exploring deep caves, to9
cycling through verdant countryside, turtle watching <strong>and</strong>kayaking past wildlife-filled forests.The two isl<strong>and</strong>s are blessed with an abundance offlora <strong>and</strong> fauna. They lie between latitudes 10-11˚N <strong>and</strong>longitudes 60-61˚W <strong>and</strong> the variety of habitats givesrise to a large <strong>and</strong> diverse list of species <strong>and</strong> acts as agateway to the tropical ecology on the South Americanmainl<strong>and</strong>.For eco enthusiasts, <strong>Trinidad</strong> has more than 450bird species, 108 types of mammals, 55 reptiles, 25amphibians <strong>and</strong> 620 types of butterflies; ranking theisl<strong>and</strong> as one of the richest outposts of biodiversity inthe Caribbean. <strong>Trinidad</strong> is home to some of the mostdiverse <strong>and</strong> spectacular bird life in the Caribbean,much of which can be spotted at the world-renownedAsa Wright Nature Centre. <strong>Trinidad</strong>’s size <strong>and</strong>accessibility to popular sites ensures many species canbe seen without long drives or treks. The isl<strong>and</strong>s area birdwatcher’s paradise <strong>and</strong> <strong>Trinidad</strong> also boasts thePointe-a-Pierre Wildfowl Trust, the home to a largenumber of ducks <strong>and</strong> swimming birds, which has alsobecome a major stopping point for migratory birds.<strong>Tobago</strong> has over 200 bird species on just 116square miles of l<strong>and</strong>. The isl<strong>and</strong> has several great vantagepoints for birdwatching, including the Grafton Caledonia10Wildlife Sanctuary, the Main Ridge Forest Reserve <strong>and</strong>Little <strong>Tobago</strong> Isl<strong>and</strong>, a small offshore isl<strong>and</strong> located justoff the village of Speyside.<strong>Trinidad</strong> is also a sport angler’s dream. Fed by therich outflow of the Orinoco River, <strong>Trinidad</strong>’s watersattract big game fish. Species such as Tarpon, Tuna <strong>and</strong>Shark are plentiful year-round with Sailfish, Marlin,Wahoo <strong>and</strong> Dolphin making seasonal appearances.<strong>Trinidad</strong> also plays host to several exciting internationalfishing tournaments, including the Kingfish Tournamentin June, Tarpon Bash in August <strong>and</strong> Wahoo Tournamentin early March.Entertainment <strong>and</strong> night lifeThe isl<strong>and</strong>s of <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong> offer differentexperiences in the realm of entertainment. <strong>Trinidad</strong>definitely offers a more fast-paced entertainmentscene. Overall, in the last few years, the nightlife <strong>and</strong>entertainment in <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong> has grownto meet the tastes of an increasingly affluent <strong>and</strong>cosmopolitan population, with a range of settings <strong>and</strong>activities to keep you entertained all week long.In <strong>Tobago</strong>, many restaurants, bars <strong>and</strong> otherlocations, especially in the Crown Point area, offer avariety of nightly live entertainment, including pool halls,
casinos with blackjack <strong>and</strong> roulette, karaoke nights <strong>and</strong>variety shows with live music. Sundays are a no-contest.All roads lead to Buccoo <strong>and</strong> its famous Sunday Schoolstreet party. Each weekend in Buccoo the Sunday SchoolStreet Party ensures revellers party their way into thenew week.In <strong>Trinidad</strong>, the nightlife is hopping <strong>and</strong> youcan enjoy fine dining, live music, theatre <strong>and</strong> danceperformances at a great number of venues in <strong>and</strong>around the capital city. You can catch the most recentmovies at several cinemas, including two multiplexes atMovieTowne in Port of Spain <strong>and</strong> Caribbean Cinemas 8in Trincity.11
Business TourismWhile <strong>Tobago</strong> concentrates mainly on leisure tourism, <strong>Trinidad</strong> isrolling out the welcome mat for business travellers <strong>and</strong> investors,with exp<strong>and</strong>ing conference facilities, high-speed Internet access<strong>and</strong> hotels with all the amenities for a busy executive. Thanksto an extended period of economic growth driven mainly bythe energy sector <strong>and</strong> an aggressive investment drive, <strong>Trinidad</strong> issolidifying its reputation as the business hub of the region. Its naturalresources, location, communication links, financial system <strong>and</strong> strongdemocratic tradition have made it the Caribbean’s most secureinvestment location. Dozens of the world’s leading corporationsare active here. The economy has been liberalised <strong>and</strong> virtually allbarriers to trade <strong>and</strong> investment have been eliminated.13
Cuisine<strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong> cuisine is a fusion of the very cultures that have made thisnation the melting pot of the Caribbean, <strong>and</strong> exploring the local culinary fare canbe a most pleasant adventure in itself. It is indicative of the blends of Amerindian,European, African, Indian, Chinese, Creole <strong>and</strong> Lebanese gastronomic influences.No trip to this twin-isl<strong>and</strong> nation is complete without samplings of the localcuisine. Popular names to look out for are benne balls, blue food, buljol, callaloo,coconut bake, cou-cou, crab n’ dumpling, doubles, oildown, pacro water, pastelles,pelau, pholourie, pigeon peas, roti, choka, sno- cone <strong>and</strong> souse.While the country has no official dish, <strong>Tobago</strong> is famous for crab <strong>and</strong> dumplings<strong>and</strong> no trip to <strong>Trinidad</strong> is complete without a trip to sample bake <strong>and</strong> shark onMaracas Bay or doubles at one of the popular spots along the East-West corridor.14
Cruise shipsCruises are a great way to see as manyCaribbean isl<strong>and</strong>s as possible in one vacation<strong>and</strong> <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong> is a cruise destinationfit for the traveller who’s up for some fun,excitement, culture <strong>and</strong> adventure. Thesouthern location of these isl<strong>and</strong>s, being justseven miles from Venezuela, means cruiseships do not stop there as frequently as otherports in the Caribbean. However, the numberof cruise travellers to the isl<strong>and</strong>s has beenincreasing in the past 15 years <strong>and</strong> in thesecond half of the 1990s, the number of cruiseships visiting the isl<strong>and</strong>s nearly doubled.Several cruise line companies offerexcursions that stop in one of the two cruiseports on the isl<strong>and</strong>s. Passengers to <strong>Trinidad</strong>will stop at Port of Spain, while passengers to<strong>Tobago</strong> will stop at Scarborough. The port inPort of Spain, with the new Waterfront Facility,is home to the Hyatt Regency Hotel <strong>and</strong> offerstransportation, shopping <strong>and</strong> communicationsservices for disembarking cruise ship passengers.Your cruise around the world is not completewithout a stopover at <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong>. Our beautifultwin isl<strong>and</strong>s are a bewitching mix of natural beauty<strong>and</strong> culture. You will be delighted to find that you canexplore our wide <strong>and</strong> varied offerings within a relativelyshort space of time.15
Yachting services16
<strong>Trinidad</strong> has been blessed with a natural advantage of being below the critical hurricanebelt <strong>and</strong> there is room for the storage of over 1,000 yachts on l<strong>and</strong>. The facilities <strong>and</strong>staff here are known throughout the Caribbean for their creativity <strong>and</strong> skill. <strong>Trinidad</strong>has evolved into the premier storage <strong>and</strong> repair centre for yachts <strong>and</strong> a quiet, laid backenvironment. It is the perfect weekend getaway.With marinas, boatyards, support services <strong>and</strong> contractors all conveniently in onelocation – Chaguaramas Bay in <strong>Trinidad</strong> – you can be sure you will find somewhereto anchor or haul <strong>and</strong> whatever service you may need. Support services abound inChaguaramas – banks, groceries, a post office, travel agents, souvenir shops, ch<strong>and</strong>leries,tour companies, restaurants <strong>and</strong> Internet cafes are all located within walking distance.And <strong>Trinidad</strong> living is easy – a low cost of living makes everything affordable <strong>and</strong> thequantity <strong>and</strong> quality of available goods is excellent.Moorings are also available from the Yacht Services Association of <strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong><strong>Tobago</strong> (YSATT). Contractors provide a wide range of repair <strong>and</strong> installation services– air-conditioning, refrigeration, pressure blasting, engine work, electrical, electronics,woodworking, yacht maintenance, sail <strong>and</strong> canvas work, welding, fabrication, painting,varnishing, life raft repair <strong>and</strong> upholstery services.Immigration <strong>and</strong> Customs procedures are geared towards your needs – yachtsmenare granted a stay of up to six months <strong>and</strong> can apply for an extension, while marinerelatedgoods can be imported duty free to in-transit yachts.17
COntact information<strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong>Tourism DevelopmentCompany LimitedLevel 1 Maritime CentreBarataria<strong>Trinidad</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Tobago</strong>Tel: (868) 675-7034 - 7Fax: (868) 675-7377Email: info@tdc.co.ttVisit us @www.gotrinidad<strong>and</strong>tobago.comUNITED KingdomMs. Nadine RankinManaging DirectorAdvantage Management Group Ltd (AMG)Suite 200, Parkway HouseSheen Lane, LondonSW14 8LS, UKTel: 011-44 (0)-20-8487-9881Fax: 011-44 (0)-2088-78-9124Email: info@amgltd.bizUSACheryl Andrews MarketingCommunications331 Almeria AvenueCoral Gables, FL 33134Tel: 305-444-4033Fax: 305-447-0415Email:info@cam-pr.comGERMANYAlex<strong>and</strong>ra EhmPR ManagerJulian LutherMarketing ManagerAVIAREPS Tourism GmbHJosephspitalstraße 15D-80331 Munich, GermanyTel. office: +49 (89) 55 25 33 800Fax: +49 (89) 55 25 33 489Email: trinidad<strong>and</strong>tobago@aviareps.comCANADAMs. Reggie KiedaGeneral Manager CanadaAVIAREPS Tourism Canada606-130 Spadina AvenueTorontoOntario M5V 2L4CanadaTel: 416-561-8243Fax: 416-323-9746Email: rkieda@aviareps.comSCANDINAVIAChristine EngenCreative DirectorSpirit CompanyCVR – nr: 29924627Lille Str<strong>and</strong>straede 221254 Copenhagen KDenmarkTel: 011-45-3311-5600Email: info@spirit-company.dkINDIAHuzan FraserBeautiful PlanetNo. 46 Grants Building AnnexureNext to Str<strong>and</strong> CinemaColaba, Mumbai – 400 005IndiaTel: +91 22 3296 1624/ +91 22 3296 1725Fax: +91-22-2287-6355M: +91 98201 90753Email: huzan.fraser@gmail.com19
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