TDC officials market T&T at tourism conference

Sandra Perkins, The Tourism Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd TDC/CEO, led a delegation to 30th Caribbean Hotel Tourism Association (CHTA) Marketplace Atlantis Paradise Island, Nassau Bahamas, from January 22 to 24. Among those who sought to market the potential of T&T were Cornell Buckradee, acting TDC marketing manager; a TDC marketing specialist; Avion Hercules, THA marketing manager along with overseas representatives from the United States and the United Kingdom. The T&T team represented the destination during tour operators and industry buyers’ meetings, media interviews and sponsored press conference.

A release from Perkins said: “CHTA Marketplace is one of the most influential region specific tourism events of the year for destinations, hotels and tour operators. With our 50th anniversary and new marketing initiatives, the TDC felt it necessary to make our presence known with influential tourism brand meetings and a sponsored press luncheon for media. We look forward to building brand Trinidad and Tobago from our successes at this conference and moving the tourism needle in the right direction.” It was also an opportunity to meet with top Caribbean tourism leaders to review and strategise marketing initiatives for 2012. 

Creating more linkages
The TDC delegation met with online travel companies including Orbitz, Expedia and Travelocity; tour operators British Airways Holidays, Classic Vacations and Air Canada Vacations; and journalists from Islands Magazine, Black Meetings & Tourism, TravelAge West and Selling Long Haul (UK). TDC also hosted a press conference/luncheon with over 40 media from the US, UK, Europe, Caribbean and Latin America in attendance. The event gave the media a chance to learn about marketing initiatives and projected tourism goals for 2012.
Also during Marketplace Le Grand Courlan Spa Resort won Expedia/Hotels.com 2011 Best Year on Year Growth, Small Hotel Award. Celebrating its 30th year, Caribbean Marketplace, the largest Caribbean business to business conference, offers wholesalers and tour operators the opportunity to meet with hoteliers, attractions and destination officials to plan and prepare packages to accommodate potential vacationers.