PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC—Trinidad and Tobago tourism officials said Saturday that the country had earned more than TT$48 million (One TT dollar = 0.16 cents) in revenue from the “highly successful” seven-month cruise ship season that ended here on Thursday this week.
“This successful season reflects our deep commitment to enhancing Trinidad and Tobago’s position as a premier cruise destination. We’re extremely pleased with the positive response and will continue to innovate to attract even more visitors in the future,” said Tourism, Culture and the Arts Minister Randall Mitchell.
According to the figures, “The total expenditure by passengers to Trinidad and Tobago is approximately TT$48,568,292 million.”
The ministry said that the economic impact of this cruise season extended to various stakeholders and that increased revenue was generated at the different ports for tour operators, taxi drivers, craft vendors, and local businesses.
It said that based on data gathered by Tourism Trinidad’s visitor surveys, the average visitor spend was estimated at US$43 per person, equating to US$$3,356,193 million.
According to the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited, the estimated spend per passenger on tours was US$26, totaling US$2,587,728 for the season. Twenty-six thousand eight hundred ninety passengers went on organized tours, with an average expenditure of US$25 per person.
The ministry said that the government’s focus on tourist satisfaction and strategic marketing initiatives played a significant role in this season’s achievements, noting that “proactive participation in trade events and collaborative efforts with cruise lines resulted in increased cruise calls and a wider reach for Trinidad and Tobago.”
It said that Mitchell attended the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) conferences over the past two years, holding discussions with several cruise lines.
“This stimulated their interest in conducting business with the country, which increased cruise calls. These initiatives increased the destination’s attractiveness and catalyzed further growth in the cruise sector.”
The officials said that most passengers came from the United States, which accounted for 70 percent of the total arrivals. Canada followed with nine percent and France with seven percent.
They said other notable contributors include the United Kingdom with four percent, Uruguay with three percent, and the rest of the world accounting for six percent.
The tourism officials noted, however, that relatively more minor numbers were recorded from the Caribbean,
“The United States’ dominance in cruise passenger arrivals to Trinidad and Tobago is mostly due to our islands offering unique attractions and experiences that appeal to American tourists, such as our diverse cultural heritage, festivals, and natural beauty.
“Moreover, marketing efforts and strategic partnerships between cruise lines and local tourism authorities have enhanced the destination’s visibility and attractiveness to American travelers, resulting in the substantial influx of passengers from this market.”
The ministry said that, like American travelers, Canadians are drawn to Trinidad and Tobago for its warm climate, cultural richness, and recreational activities.
“Proximity and promotional campaigns targeting the Canadian market have contributed to their notable representation among cruise passengers visiting the islands.
“Furthermore, the diversity in the origin of cruise passengers highlights the global appeal of Trinidad and Tobago as a cruise destination. Efforts to promote the destination internationally contributed to attracting passengers from various regions worldwide,” the ministry added.
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