TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO - Caribbean Tourism Organization

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The varied ethnic groups that have made Trinidad and Tobago
their home over the years – including Indians, Chinese, Portuguese,
Syrians,Africans, English, French and Spanish – have all contributed to
the rich multiculturalism which now defines the islands.This is reflected
in the country’s music, dance, sports and cuisine – all of which provide
a colourful and interesting backdrop for any visitor, and which are
showcased in the annual Carnival, the country’s cultural highlight.
A business centre for the Caribbean?
The booming energy, manufacturing and financial services sectors in
Trinidad and Tobago have resulted in a steady growth in business arrivals
in the country.Trinidad and, in particular, Port of Spain has the potential
to become one of the region’s busiest business destinations and its
central location in relation to the rest of the Americas puts the country
in an ideal position to host the headquarters of the Free Trade Area of
the Americas (FTAA) and become a regional hub. This depends,
however, on infrastructure developing in line with the needs of a
growing business community.
TOURISM PERFORMANCE
Stronger growth in arrivals than for much of
the Caribbean...
Travel & Tourism in Trinidad and Tobago has grown by over 40 per
cent, in terms of international arrivals, since the mid-1990s, equalling or
exceeding the growth recorded by other Caribbean islands over the
ten-year period.
Only two years bucked the growth trend.The downturn in 2001
was due not only to the terrorist attacks of 11 September that year
(9/11) and the subsequent global downturn in travel demand, but also
to the weakness of the euro against the US dollar, which discouraged
visitors from Europe. Arrivals stagnated in 2002 but, by the following
year, had once again surpassed 2000’s peak. The recovery was
consolidated by an 8.2 per cent rise in 2004 and is set to continue
through 2005 and beyond as Trinidad and Tobago, not to mention the
Caribbean region in general, benefit from the weaker US dollar and
image of being a terrorist-free zone.
International tourist arrivals, 1998-2004
450,000
400,000
350,000
300,000
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
■
■
■
0
■
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Arrivals ■ % change
Sources: Central Statistical Office (CSO); Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)
■
■
■
12%
10%
8%
6%
4%
2%
0%
-2%
-4%
…but the growth in receipts has been much
lower
The healthy growth in visitor numbers is not, however, reflected in
Trinidad and Tobago’s international tourism receipts (excluding
expenditure on transport). In 2002, receipts fell by 1.4 per cent over
2001 to US$211.4 million – which also meant that, although arrivals
increased, tourists spent less per capita. This trend mirrors that of the
Caribbean region, which suffered a decline in international tourism
receipts of 3.2 per cent over the same period.
However, while Trinidad and Tobago accounted for 2.4 per cent of
total international arrivals in the Caribbean in 2002, its share of the
region’s tourism receipts was only 1.1 per cent.This highlights one of
the industry’s major problems in the country – Travel & Tourism’s full
potential is not being tapped by ensuring that tourist arrivals are
converted into maximum receipts.
Purpose of visit
Examination of the breakdown of arrivals by purpose of visit shows
that, in 2003, over a quarter of arrivals were visiting friends and/or
relations (VFR travellers), reflecting the wide diaspora of Trinidadians
and Tobagonians overseas.The largest share of visitors, however (36 per
cent of total arrivals), falls into the leisure/holiday category (officially
termed ‘leisure/beach/vacation’), primarily visiting Tobago. Business
and MICE tourism, which is centred in Trinidad, accounted for an 18
per cent share.
In 2003, leisure generated the fastest growth for Trinidad and
Tobago – up 13.5 per cent on 2002. This excluded tourists getting
married or honeymooning in the islands, who accounted for a further
10,395 (+8 per cent). Business and MICE arrivals increased by 12 per
cent, closely followed by VFR travellers, up 10 per cent.
International tourist arrivals by purpose of visit, 2002-03
160,000
140,000
120,000
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
20,000
0
VFR Leisure
Business/
MICE
Wedding/
honeymoon
2002 2003
Other
Source: CSO
Given the dominance of VFR tourism in Trinidad and Tobago, it is
not surprising that tourism receipts are lower than for some of the
country’s regional competitors. However, as business tourism continues
to grow – in line with the expansion of the country’s energy,
manufacturing and financial services sectors – the ratio between arrivals
and receipts should improve.