Chin Lee: More tourists for Carnival 2004

TOURISM MINISTER Howard Chin Lee announced that Carnival 2004 will be one of the best Carnivals in Trinidad and Tobago’s history with 46,000 expected to visit these shores during this festive season.

Addressing the official launch of Carnival 2004 at Piarco International Airport yesterday, Chin Lee disclosed: “According to our Central Statistical Office, 46,000 tourists are expected to visit Trinidad and Tobago over the period February 6 to February 24, up from 39,000 last year. Already our hotels (large, medium and small) have been reporting a healthy increase in bookings for the season. Restaurants are bursting at the seams and parties are crowded.” The Minister also said there was an increase in the regional and international media writing articles about TT and Carnival 2004. “This is part of our plan to expand the visibility of TT and increase destination awareness internationally,” Chin Lee stated.

Minister Chin Lee also revealed that “Carnival (2004) will be seen by 89 million households in the USA as we have commissioned BET Cable Channel to produce and air a one-hour documentary on Carnival. This documentary will be aired on both BET TV Channel and on BET Jazz several times during the year.” He added that this special “would also create awareness of TT as a prime tourist destination.” Chin Lee said with increased tourist arrivals expected for Carnival and “throughout the year” his Ministry is working with TIDCO to improve TT’s tourism product. He noted that while many challenges faced the local tourism industry within recent times, “our tourism industry saw record tourist arrivals in 2003 and the outlook for the sector’s performance this year is very positive.”

The Minister said because Carnival is TT’s most important national festival, it was only fitting that “the first and last visual impression that a visitor has of TT should reflect and be a microcosm of our living space at this most festive time.” Consequently, Chin Lee said that “for the ten days before Carnival and ten days after Carnival,” both tourists and “returning Trinis” will get a taste of TT’s diverse musical art forms.