National Tourism Policy (Draft) Trinidad and Tobago
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MINISTRY OF TOURISM REVISED NATIONAL TOURISM POLICY (DRAFT) TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO (JULY 2020) NATIONAL VISION The following policy statement depicts the overarching vision for the country: The travel and tourism sector is a significant contributor to the social and economic resilience, growth and development of Trinidad and Tobago. The sector reflects the innovation, creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, cultural richness, unparalleled beauty, tremendous regional diversity, environmental stewardship and natural hospitality of the people of the twin-island Republic. This is characterised by a deep commitment to adhering to world class standards of excellence that ensures the satisfaction of our international and domestic customers, stakeholders, and other Industry partners. Contents List of Abbreviations ............................................................................................................. iii 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Rationale for the Revision of the National Tourism Policy ............................................................. 1 1.2 Review of the National Tourism Policy, 2010................................................................................. 3 1.3 The Policy Formulation Process .................................................................................................... 4 2.0 National Tourism Policy Context ................................................................................. 7 2.1 International Tourism Performance and Trends ............................................................................. 7 2.2 Overview of Tourism Development in Trinidad and Tobago .......................................................... 8 2.3 The Key Issues ............................................................................................................................ 10 3.0 National Tourism Policy Framework ......................................................................... 12 3.1 Objectives of the Policy ............................................................................................................... 12 3.2 Guiding Principles ........................................................................................................................ 12 4.0 Policy Statements ..................................................................................................... 14 4.1 Visioning: Overview ..................................................................................................................... 14 4.2 Regional Development Administration ......................................................................................... 15 4.3. Land-Use Planning, Spatial Development and Environmental Quality ........................................ 16 4.4. Cluster Development ................................................................................................................... 18 4.5 Super Structure............................................................................................................................ 19 4.5.1 Tourist Accommodation/Lodging ............................................................................................. 19 4.5.2 General Infrastructure ............................................................................................................. 20 4.6 Technology Platforms .................................................................................................................. 21 4.7 Transportation ............................................................................................................................. 22 4.7.1 Air Transportation .................................................................................................................... 23 4.7.2 Ground Transportation ............................................................................................................. 23 4.7.3 Sea Transportation .................................................................................................................. 24 4.8 Cruise Development .................................................................................................................... 25 4.9 Tourism Investment ..................................................................................................................... 26 4.10 Heritage ....................................................................................................................................... 26 4.11 Market Research and Planning.................................................................................................... 28 i 4.12 Education and Training ................................................................................................................ 30 4.13 Tourism Product Development .................................................................................................... 32 4.14 Events and Festivals .................................................................................................................... 34 4.15 World Class Industry Standards .................................................................................................. 35 4.16 Taxation, Revenue Generation and Funding ............................................................................... 36 4.17 Border Control, Frontier Reception, National Security and Public Safety .................................... 37 4.18 Climate Resilience, Disaster Risk Management and Environmental Sustainability ..................... 38 4.18.1 Climate Resilience ............................................................................................................... 38 4.18.2 Disaster Risk Management for the Tourism Sector ............................................................. 39 4.18.3 Environmental Sustainability ................................................................................................ 40 5.0 National Tourism Policy Implementation ................................................................... 42 5.1 The Ministry of Tourism ............................................................................................................... 42 5.2 The Tobago House of Assembly .................................................................................................. 44 5.3 Tourism Trinidad Limited ............................................................................................................. 44 5.4 Tobago Tourism Agency Limited ................................................................................................. 45 5.5 Local Government ....................................................................................................................... 46 5.6 Parastatal Organisations ............................................................................................................. 46 5.7 Standing Committees on Tourism ................................................................................................ 46 5.8 The Private Sector ....................................................................................................................... 47 5.9 Non-Governmental and Community-Based Organizations .......................................................... 48 6.0 National Tourism Policy – Monitoring and Evaluation ............................................... 49 Glossary ............................................................................................................................... a Appendices ........................................................................................................................... c Appendix 1 - Tourism Initiatives (2010-2019) ............................................................................................ c Appendix 2 – Areas of Specialisation: TPDC Members ............................................................................. e Appendix 3 – Trinidad and Tobago’s Tourism Sector Performance ............................................................ f Appendix 4 – Map: Regional Approach to Tourism Development in Trinidad ............................................ g ii List of Abbreviations CARICOM Caribbean Community CARPHA Caribbean Public Health Agency CDA Chaguaramas Development Authority DRM Disaster Risk Management EMA Environmental Management Authority eTeck Evolving TecKnologies and Enterprise Development Company Limited GDP Gross Domestic Product GoRTT Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago HNV High Nature Value ICT Information and Communication Technology MOT Ministry of Tourism NGO Non-Governmental Organization OJT On-the-Job Training PATT Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago SARS-CoV-2 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) SDGs Sustainable Development Goals T&T Trinidad and Tobago THA Tobago House of Assembly TPD Tourism Product Development TPDC Tourism Policy Development Committee TTAL Tobago Tourism Agency Limited TTL Tourism Trinidad Limited UDeCOTT Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago Limited UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNWTO United Nations World Tourism Organization iii 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Rationale for the Revision of the National Tourism Policy The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GoRTT) has identified economic diversification as a key objective and critical enabler of Trinidad and Tobago’s