Trinidad & Tobago Tourism News

				Greetings! In this issue: Summer Festivals and Events Dr. Rupert Griffith Appointed New Minister of Tourism Trinidad and Tobago 5th Annual Film Festival Tobago International Cycling Classic Travel Deals   Dr. Rupert Griffith Appointed New Minister of Tourism The Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, recently elected Trinidad and Tobago's first female Prime Minister, appointed Dr Rupert T. Griffith as Minister of Tourism and Dr. Delmon Dexter Baker as Minister in the Ministry of Tourism. Former Speaker of the House, Dr. Griffith, was first elected to Parliament in 1991 and served through 1995. He served as Deputy Speaker and acted as Speaker between August and December 1995. He was re-elected a Member of Parliament (Arima) in 1995 and served as a member of the Opposition People's National Movement from 1995 to 1997. He was a Member of the Cabinet of the United National Congress Government from 1997 to 2000 as Minister of Information, Communication, Training and Distance Learning. He holds a Masters degree in Career and Industrial Technology Education and a PhD in Education Administration and Supervision. Dr. Baker holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Medicine and Surgery with honors in neurosciences and behavior from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. He is registered with the Medical Board of Trinidad and Tobago and is trained in advanced trauma and life support. He currently works as a primary care physician serving the communities of Scarborough, Buccoo and Bethel in Tobago.     Trinidad and Tobago 5th Annual Film Festival The fifth installment of the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival (TTFF) will take place from September 22 to October 5, 2010. Focusing on films from Africa, the event will welcome noted filmmakers from countries such as Senegal, Ethiopia, and Nigeria. This year's program, sponsored in part by the Tourism Development Company (TDC), will include an increase in outdoor screenings and screenings for the first time in Chaguanas - at MovieTowne. There will also be an expanded program in Tobago as well as a music video production workshop. Founded in 2006, the event celebrates the best of the best in Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora film as well as films from Latin American countries that border the Caribbean Sea. For more information and updates on TTFF, visit the film festival's blog at www.trinidadandtobagofilmfestival.com/blog.     Tobago International Cycling Classic Cyclists from around the world are gearing up for Tobago's 24th Annual International Cycling Classic. The four-day / five-stage event is scheduled to take place September 28 - October 3, 2010 and will feature world class athletes from Europe, South America, North America and the Caribbean. With something for everyone, the race program is broken into three divisions. The main event, division 1, is open to international pro, elite and national teams. The course is 5 stages and 372 miles. Entry is $40 per cyclist. The open event, division 2, is suitable for juniors, masters, juveniles, ladies and category 3, 4 and 5 cyclists. The course is four stages, 186 miles and entry is $25 per athlete. The recreational program, division 3, is perfect for non- competitive and casual cyclists. With three stages the course is 93 miles and entry is $20 per athlete. Other events include a rum punch boat tour and beach picnic, fun in the sun barbeque, and steel band beach lime. For more information, visit www.trinbagowheelers.com     Travel Deals Coblentz Inn Hotel, Trinidad This boutique hotel features themed rooms inspired by the island with an abundance of cultural influences. From July 1 - August 31, 2010, the Coblentz Inn's summer special includes accommodations, continental breakfast and wireless internet access. Nightly rates start at $135, inclusive of tax. For more information, visit www.coblentzinn.com or call 868.621.0541. Coco Reef Resort & Spa, Tobago With lush tropical landscaping and a private white-sand beach, Coco Reef Resort & Spa is considered one of Tobago's premier hotels with a blend of modern convenience and old world charm. From now through December 20, 2010, the hotel is offering a honeymoon getaway that includes four nights/five days deluxe ocean view accommodations with private balcony, one tropical breakfast, a lesson in the art of romantic massage, daily candle-lit dinners with a bottle of wine, tropical fruit basket and floral bouquet upon arrival, one day jeep rental and roundtrip airport transfers. Rates are $3,000 per couple, including all taxes. For more information, visit www.cocoreef.com or call 868.639.8571. Tobago Beach Villas Conveniently located near the scenic Grafton Beach in Tobago, Tobago Beach Villas offers three elegantly styled villas to suit the most discerning traveler. With stunning views of the Caribbean Sea, each villa comes equipped with a private plunge pool, sundeck and a barbecue. From now until July 31, 2010, nightly rates are $250 on minimum stays of three nights. Guests who book seven nights will pay for only six. For more information, visit www.tobagobeachvillas.com or call 868.718.4306

 

  

New Head Appointed for Trinidad & Tobago Convention Bureau

The Tourism Development Company (TDC) of Trinidad & Tobago is pleased to announce the appointment of Chantel Ross Francois as head of the newly formed Trinidad & Tobago Convention Bureau (TTCB). The TTCB, established in 2009 and now under the professional guidance of Francois, will focus on positioning the destination as the meetings and conference capital of the Caribbean by expanding the market share in this competitive industry.

 

Major Upgrades for Small Properties

Small and medium sized properties, 100 rooms or less, are set to receive major upgrades through the Trinidad and Tobago Hotel and Guesthouse Room Stock Upgrade Incentive Project. Launched in February 2010, the project will span two years and cover the refurbishment and upgrade of guestrooms, including replacement of furniture, fittings, equipment and soft furnishings. Properties will be reimbursed 25 percent of the cost of room refurbishment, up to a maximum of $2,100 (USD) (TT$12,500) for Trinidad properties and $2,500 (USD) (TT$15,000) for Tobago properties.

 

EVENTS/FESTIVALS

 

Tobago Underwater Carnival

From June 11-18, Tobago will be taking the party beneath the sea this year with its first dive festival. Themed Underwater Carnival, the event is designed to showcase the destination’s rich and diverse eco-system and the explosion of marine life that can be found off the island’s shores. Hosted by the Tobago House of Assembly Tourism Division (THA), the Association of Tobago Dive Operators and with the support of the Tourism Development Company (TDC), the festival will provide both experienced and amateur divers opportunities to fine-tune their skills while exploring the enchanting world beneath its aquamarine and cobalt blue waters. Registration for the Tobago Underwater Carnival is $75 USD and includes access to event seminars, discounts on select land-based tours and restaurants, free snorkeling equipment rental, free entry into the amateur underwater photography contest and dive package specials. For more information on hotel partners and schedule of activities, visit www.tobagounderwatercarnival.com.

 

Tobago Heritage Festival

Tobago's traditional culture and lifestyle are celebrated with an outpouring of joy and creativity during the island’s annual Heritage Festival, July 16 – August 1, with events at villages and community centers across the island. The festival celebrates the age-old beliefs and traditions of the Tobagonian people in their original village settings. Each village presents an aspect of the island's heritage and shows off its versatility in song, dance, drama, cooking and costuming. Visit www.visittobago.gov.tt  or call the Heritage Office at 868.639.4441.

 

Santa Rosa Festival

The Santa Rosa Festival, August 24 – 31, celebrates the cross-cultural relationship between the Amerindians and Christianity. About 300 descendants of the Carib Amerindians who settled the Caribbean long before Columbus arrived, form a community near Arima ( Trinidad ) carefully protecting their cultural traditions. The festival features a procession headed by the Carib Queen, a lunch with traditional Amerindian food and a display of arts and crafts.  www.gotrinidadandtobago.com 

 

 

HOTEL SPECIALS

 

 

The Chancellor Hotel & Conference Center

This warm 30 room hotel complete with Spanish style courtyard and fountain is nestled in the foothills of St. Ann ’s, five minutes from downtown Port of Spain . Ideal for smaller meetings and events, the hotel features suites, executive rooms, and conference facilities able to accommodate 60 people. From July 1 – August 31, 2010, the hotel will be offering a special nightly rate of $99, plus tax. For more information, visit www.thechancellorhotel.com or call 868.623.0883.