PORT-OF-SPAIN – Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Patrick Manning has called for a strengthening of Caribbean collaboration within the tourism industry.

In unveiling plans for Trinidad and Tobago to be more competitive in the regional tourism sector, Manning stressed that "while there is regional cooperation on some levels", further intensification could witness improved service levels, quality standards as well as marketing and sustainable tourism development efforts.

Speaking on Monday night at the opening ceremony of the 12th Annual Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference being held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Manning said the Caribbean Hotel Association, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation and some regional bodies were already doing their part.

Addressing the more than 500 delegates, Manning said regional governments and the private sectors must put their heads together to deal with the various issues confronting the industry.

Among those issues were air travel concerns, intra-regional tourism, multi-destination marketing, the linkages of tourism to the local and regional economies, the benefits and impact of cruise tourism on the industry as a whole; safety and security, cultural issues and environmental matters, including the impact of global warming on the island developing nations of the world.

These are some of the issues to be discussed when regional governments meet at the upcoming CARICOM Heads of Government Conference in July.

An entire day has already been set aside to focus on a comprehensive examination of the tourism industry and to consider the possibility of creating a sustainable economic commission on tourism.

"I am of the view that there is already an awareness of what needs to be done. Caribbean collaboration will intensify the resolve," Manning said.

The prime minister stated: "The tourism industry is most important for the continuing development of the Caribbean. It represents over 30 per cent of the gross domestic product [GPD] of the region and provides nearly three million jobs.

"Indeed, it is the mainstay of many economies in this part of the world, accounting for up to 90 per cent of the GPD of some nations. It is therefore very important that we continue to have meetings that pursue the development of the industry in our region," he added.

Negative consequences

As he looked at the global situation in light of high oil prices and rising food costs caused in part by recessionary trends in the United States, Manning said this would have negative consequences for worldwide tourism and affect all countries, with serious implications for those that depend heavily on this industry for economic and social development.

He called for constant improvements in the regional tourism industry, as well as for more Caribbean history and culture to come to the forefront in tourism development plans.

"Our historical sites, landmark buildings, museums, forests, rivers, natural wonders and cultural arts must be made prominent and prepared for the fullest possible deployment.

"We must deploy resources for their protection, preservation and development as national and regional resources for economic and social development," he said.

He further disclosed that Trinidad and Tobago "is now more engaged than ever before in the development of an internationally competitive industry".

Cultural tourism

"Over the last six years, significant progress has been made towards this end. We are developing the potential for cultural and conference tourism in Trinidad, while Tobago is being positioned, inter alia, as a premier upmarket leisure destination.

"We also have some potential for eco-tourism and this possibility is also being examined," Manning said.

The prime minister told his audience which included local and regional ministers of government, key Caribbean tourism officials, regional and international investors, hoteliers and tour operators, that Trinidad and Tobago had also made the investment and enabling environment more attractive for capital flows in tourism.

In recent years the twin-island state established a critical mass of new rooms to meet the increasing demand for accommodation, and has attracted leading hotel brands, including Hilton, Holiday Express, Courtyard by Marriott and Cascadia.

According to Manning, by year end, at least 796 new hotel rooms would have come on stream, including the 428-room Hyatt Regency Hotel where the three-day conference is taking place.