Blog Archives

On March 8th, we commemorated International Women’s Day, but our mission to empower the architects of our national brand continues every day. We salute these innovators whose leadership ensures Trinidad and Tobago remains a globally respected destination. #BeyondIWD2026 #GiveToGain #IWD2026 #tourismtrinidad

Tourism is more than just arrivals and departures. It is the heartbeat of our national identity, a rhythm sustained by the passion, resilience, and vision of our women. This International Women’s Day, Tourism Trinidad Limited (TTL) is proud to present “Give to Gain,” a special commemorative series that listens to the heartbeat of our industry through the stories of the women who define it.

Over four days, we journey through the many layers of Trinidad & Tobago’s tourism landscape, guided by the voices of four remarkable women each day. They are the innovators, the guardians, the storytellers, and the diplomats who give so much of themselves to enrich the experience of every visitor and, in turn, gain a deeper purpose for themselves and their communities.

Day 1: The Trailblazers

Our journey begins with those who are forging new paths and reshaping the boundaries of our industry. Ariene Ng Fong invites us to look to the sea, proving that innovation and technical brilliance are the new currents of our blue economy. As Co-Lead of Play Hooky 868, she embodies the spirit that the sea knows no gender. Alongside her, (Iya) Akilah Jaramogi stands as the guardian of our green future. Through her work as Executive Director of the FACRP, she reminds us that giving back to the earth is our greatest investment, nurturing the spiritual heart of our hillsides.

We then turn to those who have spent decades mastering the art of welcome. Gunda Busch–Harewood, Founder of Island Experiences, has spent 30 years bridging worlds, refining the authentic encounter into a craft. Her life’s work is a testament to the power of genuine connection. And in the kitchen, Chef Brigette Joseph treats every plate as a diplomat. A true architect of culinary diplomacy, she ensures our cuisine cements Trinidad’s place as the gastronomy capital of the Caribbean.

Day 2: The Keepers of Heritage

On the second day, we meet the women who ensure our stories are never lost and our traditions continue to thrive. Cheri-Ann Pascall is more than a guide; with 25 years of heart-led hospitality, she is a living archive, translating the soul of our nation for the world. Further inland, in the historic Lopinot Valley, The Guerrero Sisters of Café Mariposa are cultivating a legacy. They honor their family’s deep cocoa-growing roots, creating a sustainable model of agri-tourism that nourishes both the land and the community.

Their neighbor, Donna Mora, is the driving force behind that very community. As CEO of the Lopinot Tourism Association, she champions grassroots strength, ensuring that the benefits of heritage tourism flow directly to the residents who are its heart. And capturing it all is Franka Philip, a journalist who understands that a destination’s true flavor is found in its stories. Through her work in tourism media, she shares the soul of our hospitality, highlighting our unique festivals and flavors with dignity and depth.

Be on the lookout for days 3 and 4 of this series.

Follow the series live on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD — Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival 2026 has delivered a significant boost to the country’s tourism sector, with strong international visitor arrivals and hotel performance underscoring the festival’s continued global appeal.

Preliminary data from the Immigration Division and the Central Statistical Office (CSO) indicate that 54,441 visitors arrived in Trinidad and Tobago between January 1 and February 14, 2026, a clear indication of sustained international interest in the destination’s premier cultural showcase. This represents a 13% increase over the 48,197 arrivals recorded during the same period in 2025.

Of this total:

• January arrivals: 28,920
• February 1–14: 25,521

These figures highlight buoyant international demand for Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival and the positive impact of ongoing destination marketing and expanded airlift.

As the festival approached its peak weekend, hotel performance strengthened considerably. Data from CoStar revealed that:

• Average occupancy in January stood at 46%, with
• Average Daily Rates (ADR) of US$172

By the Carnival peak weekend (February 13–14):

• Occupancy surged to 83.2%, while
• ADR climbed to US$501.86

Hotel revenue for February 1–15 reached US$10.7 million, already surpassing January’s total of US$7 million. This demonstrates Carnival’s ability to generate premium‑driven economic activity within a short period.

Cruise Sector Adds to the Economic Boost

The cruise sector also contributed to the country’s tourism performance, with 8,865 cruise passengers visiting between January 1 and February 15, 2026. The main source of visitors was from the following regions:

• United States: 66%
• Canada: 17%
• United Kingdom: 6%

With an average spend of approximately US$135 per visitor, cruise passengers generated an estimated US$1.19 million in direct economic impact.

Organised tours remained popular, with the following leading the way:

• City and Maracas Tour: 39%
• Caroni Bird Sanctuary: 13%
• Maracas Beach Tour: 12%

Senator the Honourable Satyakama Maharaj, Minister of Trade, Investment and Tourism, stated:

“Carnival 2026 continues to demonstrate the strength of Trinidad and Tobago’s tourism product. Impressive arrivals and record hotel rates reflect growing global demand for our cultural experiences and reinforce tourism’s contribution to economic diversification and foreign exchange generation.”

The Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism and Tourism Trinidad Limited will continue to review and publish finalised arrival and performance data as the post‑Carnival period concludes.

END

Tourism Trinidad is exploring strategic partnerships with United Airlines to implement a more robust approach to destination marketing in our respective source markets. This approach intends to aggressively and systematically leverage the relationships and resources of both United Airlines and Tourism Trinidad, to better position our destination along flight routes to potential visitors. Establishing the means for enacting this partnership became possible after fruitful discussions were held at a courtesy call that was paid to key officials of Tourism Trinidad on Thursday 24th October 2024 by the United Airlines team.  

In attendance were Mr. Cliff Hamilton, Chairman of Tourism Trinidad, Mrs. Shaneil Sutherland, Manager of Destination Development, Mr. Carlton V. De Four, Tourism Development Officer, along with representatives from United Airlines which included Mr. Edwin Herrera, Regional Director and Ms. Margarita Robles, Account Manager for Sales. The courtesy call provided an excellent platform for both organizations to share data, ideas and to explore potential strategies aimed at improving visitor arrivals and delivering mutually beneficial outcomes. We are excited to continue working with United Airlines as a valued stakeholder in showcasing Trinidad as a top travel destination. 

In the North American region, United Airlines currently provides flights to Trinidad through the Houston and New Jersey hubs, with the latter being utilized during the peak times for the Christmas and Carnival seasons.  

As we celebrate World Tourism Day 2024, it’s important to acknowledge tourism’s profound impact on Trinidad’s economy and society. Known for its rich culture, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality, Trinidad is more than just a tropical escape—it’s a key driver of economic growth, job creation, and community development.

Tourism plays a pivotal role in Trinidad’s economy, contributing significantly to its GDP. The sector generates billions in revenue annually, supporting industries such as hospitality, transportation, and retail. Local businesses, from hotels and restaurants to artisans and tour operators, thrive due to the influx of international and domestic visitors. This economic activity translates into thousands of jobs for Trinidadians, opening employment opportunities.

Beyond economic gains, tourism also fosters community development and cultural preservation. Visitors are drawn to Trinidad’s diverse cultural heritage, celebrated through festivals like Carnival and Divali, which showcase local talent and traditions. These cultural exchanges enhance both tourists’ and locals’ experiences, instilling pride in Trinidad’s unique identity.

Sustainable tourism is also an essential focus, aligning with global trends toward eco-friendly and responsible travel. Tourism Trinidad Limited is dedicated to fostering a tourism industry that not only attracts visitors but also protects the environment and uplifts local communities. By promoting practices that reduce waste, conserve energy, and encourage support for local businesses, Trinidad is working to ensure that tourism benefits are shared broadly and that natural resources are preserved for future generations.

On this World Tourism Day, let’s celebrate the essential role tourism plays in Trinidad’s economy and community life. By promoting and supporting this dynamic sector, we contribute to the island’s prosperity while preserving its cultural and natural beauty for years to come.

Tourism Trinidad Limited played a key role as a host partner for the CAPA Airline Leader Summit, held from August 21st to 23rd, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port of Spain.

This partnership aligns with Tourism Trinidad’s ongoing efforts to collaborate with key stakeholders to boost visitor arrivals and enhance the tourism product, in this instance specifically by way of the impact of the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Events (MICE) market.

TTL team members attended the summit to gain valuable insights into the aviation industry and used the conference as a prime networking opportunity, engaging with airline executives to improve airlift access to the destination, ultimately aiming to increase visitor numbers and tourism’s contribution to the nation’s GDP.

Current Miss Universe Trinidad & Tobago candidate, Jenelle Thongs, is now fully equipped with our country’s destination information after she paid a courtesy call to the Chief Executive Officer (Interim) Mr. Cornell Buckradee of Tourism Trinidad Limited on Tuesday 13^th August 2024. At this meeting, our personnel provided useful tips on how to best display our beautiful island’s tourism offerings, culture, arts, entertainment, and food to a global audience.

Ms. Thongs won the crown after being chosen from the final strut at Queen’s Hall in St. Anns on Sunday 4^th August 2024 from a total of eleven contestants. As the newly appointed Miss Universe Trinidad & Tobago, she will compete in the 73rd Miss Universe pageant, the preliminaries, which will be held in Mexico City later this year on 14^th November 2024. Ms. Thongs is most known as the former Supranational T&T, having also won eight additional titles, including Miss Carnival T&T 2013, Miss Beauty T&T 2016, and Miss Heritage International 2016. While she has been highly successful in her social pursuits, Ms. Thongs also boasts some impressive academic accolades that have redounded in her current position as a hardworking dental clinic manager.

Tourism Trinidad Limited is thrilled to work with her to highlight our destination’s magic. As a destination, let us join in showing support for Ms. Thongs and her team as she represents our country in the Miss Universe Competition.