Cudjoe: Domestic tourism industry worth almost TT$1B

The Tourism Ministry’s second annual ‘staycation’ promotion runs from July 1 to August 31. During this two-month period, locals can enjoy a more affordable vacation, without needing to buy foreign exchange (forex), while learning more about Trinidad and Tobago’s (TT) culture, natural wonders and places of historical significance.

Tourism Minister, Shamfa Cudjoe says the current economic downturn has made ‘staycations’ much more attractive to Trinbagonians.

“Against the backdrop of a challenging economic environment, more and more residents are electing to take vacations within TT rather than abroad.

Our records show that the appeal of the staycation, the long weekend getaway and the domestic experience has increased significantly over recent years. In addition, there seems to be a greater appreciation, awareness and demand for what TT has to offer.” Cudjoe was speaking at the recent launch of Stay to Get Away 2017, where she also highlighted the fact that “domestic tourism is a multi-milliondollar industry; worth nearly TT $1 billion annually, contributing substantially to the overall performance of the sector.” Addressing tourism stakeholders, including members of the Trinidad and Tobago In-coming Tour Operators Association (TTITOA), as they stood in the reception space at the House of Angostura, Eastern Main Road, Laventille, Cudjoe said many tourism businesses would not survive if not for the year-round business of domestic visitors.

“Yes, the international traveller generates foreign currency inflows and that is critical but when holiday makers stay here, we retain the hard currency that would have been spent abroad. As simple as it seems, it keeps many businesses afloat during the low and lonely periods. So your ‘staycation’ redistributes your currency within the boundaries of your own country. You are therefore, important to our tourism, important to our economy, important to the development of our country.” Citing some statistics, Cudjoe added that according to a 2015 survey conducted by the Tourism Development Company, more than 278,000 overnight domestic trips were taken by TT households over the survey period, at an average of two trips per household.

That’s an increase of 6.3 per cent from 2013.

“The leisure market that includes sports, recreation, cultural activities and visiting friends and relatives accounted for 35 per cent of all domestic trips.

Business, conferences, conventions and retreats were some of the other reasons for domestic travel.” Cudjoe added that ‘staycationers’ spent an average of TT $293.90 each day on an overnight trip, “approximating a total overnight domestic expenditure of over TT $862,268,817.” Providing further data, the minister said 382,761 people travelled from Trinidad to Tobago while 123,619 people travelled from Tobago to Trinidad.

“Trinidadian residents vacationing in Tobago spent over TT $500 million, which translates to about 69 per cent of Total Domestic Travel Expenditure,” while Tobago residents spent approximately TT $189 million in Trinidad.

Cudjoe argued that this kind of business activity could only rebound to the benefit of local service providers, business operators, tourism stakeholders, and by extension, the wider national economy.

“This means business for the small buses, maxis and taxi operators, for the double vendors in Debe, the coconut water man on the savannah, the pannist, the calypso entertainer, the carpenter and builders upgrading the rooms, more working hours for the house keeper, the waitress at the restaurant and the list goes on and on.”

In addition to TTITOA, the ministry has partnered with The Trinidad Hotel Restaurants and Tourism Association (THRTA), The Small Tourism Accommodation Owners Association (STAOTT), along with a number of stakeholders from Tobago,” as it continues to extend invitations and add to the number of stakeholders participating in this year’s initiative.”

Cudjoe praised this year’s participants for “really rising to the occasion to offer affordable packages to budget conscious domestic tourists that guarantee value for money (including) a diverse offering of properties, tours and experiences on offer that will whet the appetite of even the most seasoned traveller.”

In order for people to have easy access to relevant information about this domestic tourism campaign, the ministry has created a dedicated Facebook page; Staytnt, where persons can get updates on tours, hotel packages, community festivals and events.

The ministry also announced that “in order to ensure a more integrated approach to our digital marketing efforts, the GoTrinBago app will also be used to bring further awareness of this awareness campaign.” TTITOA president, Lorraine Pouchet, also spoke at the launch. She described as “refreshing”, the ministry’s recognition “that the tourism industry is a stakeholder-driven one. (This) is a step in the right direction and can assist in building a sustainable and vibrant tourism industry.”