T&T is World's Best Tourist Destination?

[VirtueTT]

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/T_T_is_World_s_Best_Tourist_Destination-131958493.html

TRINIDAD and Tobago has been voted the World's Best Tourist Destination for 2012 and has also been declared the Favourite Cultural Destination in 2012.

The announcement was made on October 9 when tourism organisations from 27 European Union member states voted unanimously during the Autumn Meeting of the European Union Council on Tourism and Trade in Bucharest, Romania.

The designation of the World's Best Tourist Destination is the highest honour to be awarded for a country's achievements in tourism.

A four-member team from the European Council, led by the Minister of Energy of Romania and the Council Vice-President, arrived in Trinidad on Saturday to present the award to the Government and People of Trinidad and Tobago.

In a statement yesterday, Minister of Tourism, Dr Rupert Griffith, said he received the news on October 10.

"We are, actually, the first country in the Western Hemisphere to receive such an award," Griffith said.

"I was also honoured and humbled to be inducted (on Sunday) as an honorary member of the European Union Tourism Academy. All of this augurs well for Trinidad and Tobago as we strive to brand Trinidad and Tobago as a premier destination in the Caribbean region."

The Best Tourist Destination award is offered to countries that have complied with the United Nations Tourism Division, UNESCO and the European Union on Tourism and Trade's principles "on fair tourism, ethical tourism and safety standards and the historic preservation of cultural sites".

On the debate for the award, Dr Anton Caragea, president of the European Union Council on Tourism and Trade (EUCTT), presented a report titled: "Trinidad and Tobago — A Success Story in Tourism".

Among the reasons for the award of World's Best Tourist Destination for 2012 to Trinidad and Tobago, Caragea highlighted the respect for cultural patrimony and traditions "in offering to tourists a possibility to participate in impressive paraphernalia festivals such as Holi, Hosay, Divali, Corpus Christi, Eid-ul-Fitr, Tobago Heritage Festival, Tobago Fest and Trinidad's greatest show on earth (Carnival)".

T&T's dedication to the protection of the environment, especially along the east coast, the wetlands, beaches and ecological and geographical biodiversity was also hailed.

Caragea also praised the range of activities which include wildlife photography in places such as El Tucuche Reserve, Valencia Wildlife Sanctuary, Caroni Bird Sanctuary, cave exploration at Gasparee Caves, cycling and hiking at Argyle Waterfall and kayaking at Paria Bay and Tobago.

The EUCTT was established in 2005 and its member countries include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Spain and Sweden among others.

The award has previously been presented to Syria in 2007, Turkey in 2008, United Arab Emirates in 2009 and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) in 2010.

Forgive me if this seems unpatriotic off the bat.. but burr?

I will give credit to those whom credit is due, but like anything else good that happens in this country, every man jack and he pottong go ride this, which to me, is unfair to those who actually made this happen. Those who contribute and work tirelessly towards the tourism industry in this country ie Tobago. I saw a $100 million budget for Tobago and Tourism for the fanancial year. Really not sure if thats better or worse than previous years.

Yes it seems mainly because of the wide range of cultural experiences here attributed to the pluralistic society we live in. The various religious entities being the majority listed in the article, and i must say it's one of the things i enjoy most about living here. Experiencing a "multiverse" of cultural in such a small country. There's also mention of environmental protection.. again.. bur? I guess they didn't visit the other side of the country...

But this also brings me to question the SoE again. If this country can attain such a high esteemd award on the global stage while our crime situation is "out of control".. what's really going on here? Isn't crime supposed to be a repelling factor to tourism? Just speculation of course.

[Redlum08]

OMFG.....Are you serious? This has to be April Fools...we in October and this is an April Fools joke...someone forgot to mention that they months late with this one. With all the warnings against visiting Trinidad and Tobago and with the SoE still in effect...how in the world could this be? Wayz....this is just too hard to believe yes...

[VirtueTT]

OMFG.....Are you serious? This has to be April Fools...we in October and this is an April Fools joke...someone forgot to mention that they months late with this one. With all the warnings against visiting Trinidad and Tobago and with the SoE still in effect...how in the world could this be? Wayz....this is just too hard to believe yes...

Trust me, this was my first reaction but, give credit where credit is due. If you read the article there's no mention of the SoE. So.. again, what's going on?

[Q]

I wonder how much we paid for that? Sorry to make it sound like that but colour me "utterly flabber-friggin-gasted".

Really? REALLY?


*EDIT

Okay... I get it. The UN had set criteria and apparently we met them. Hooray for us then... I guess. 

[phoenix31tt]

before allyuh say nice and big up T&T on the international scale once again... thats the first thing allyuh do... sigh..
allyuh like to downtrod T&T and make it seem like some backwater country that people would be crazy to go to..  we miss all the good things that right in front of us

neways @ virtue... regarding the soe n what not.. remember these ratings would not have been made on the most current information.. so soe prolly wasnt a factor during the considerations, cuz i'm sure it woulda change some things

[W1nTry]

I think it's shock and awe pheonix, considering we live and know things aren't necessarily roses and chocolates. I wanted to say kamla visits to the UK real pay off cause it's QUITE the accomplishment to get this honour all things considered. That isn't to say we're living in somalia, FAR from it, I love my beautiful twin island republic. I just hope that ppl understand what this could entail and ACT ACCORDINGLY. Greet people with kindness and manners and treat all the foreigners like your family. Let then feel safe, welcomed and leave them WANTING more so they'll come again. I have no doubts our tobago bredren have what it takes... I question whether Trinidad does however.

[Arcmanov]

Well right now, I wish I was a tourist.


Swyped from another Galaxy using Tapatalk

[Preston786]

Well right now, I wish I was a tourist.


Swyped from another Galaxy using Tapatalk

LMAO

[TriniXaeno]

hahaha @ wish I was a tourist

must agree, the news is shocking. Welcome....but shocking.

[VirtueTT]

@ Phoenix - As i said, i give credit where credit is due. I personally know ppl associated with the EMA and tourism industry that should be personally thanked for this.

It is quite an accomplishment, but i for a fact did not contribute to it (aside from a few trips to tobago lol) neither did more than probly 40% of the population. My point is, people have this tendency to cling to "National Pride" only when something good happens. Look what happen with the Michael Jackson case and the doctor. When it was speculated that he had Trinidadian roots, ppl start to jump on the band wagon and say Trini's making it far etc etc. Find out the man possibly killed MJ, instant disown. Same thing with sport, (football and cricket).

Trust me, i would not live anywhere else in the world. A lot of people don't realize how good we have it here. If you make more than 1 USD a day, do u realize that you are more well off than 1.3 BILLION people around the world? 

Trinidadians, in my opinion, as a people, have lost our sense of true national cultural and pride and we no longer listen to the lyrics of our beloved anthem.

[W1nTry]

Some ppl doh even know the anthem far less... show by raise of hands how many ppl know or EVER knew what the colours of the national flag represent (NO GOOGLING IT NOW doesn't count!!!)

*W1nTry raises hand*

[crackerjack]

*raises both dream hands *

[TriniXaeno]

something bout blood and bravery (red), something bout strenkt and powers (black) and something bout purity, peace and tolerance (white)

You send me back to primary school there w1ntry. Please don't shoot me if that answer was off base. Straining on the memory cells.

As for Virtue, remember, Trinidadians are not one homogeneous bunch of people. We aren't a hive mind.

By that I mean.

25% of the population will be all "hurray, Michael Jackson's doctor is a Trini!!"

Upon news of his responsibility for the gloved one's death, another 25% will distance themselves from him altogether and have a good laugh/scoff at the previous 25% who "celebrated" his involvement.

The remaining 50% couldn't care either way / nor expressed a view. lol

[VirtueTT]

The MJ thing was an example. Sport is a more relevant instance.

And Wyatt, go back to primary school cuz all them answers was off! SHAME!

[TriniXaeno]

well what is the correct answer? education iwmc

and the phenomenon I described applies to sport just as much as it does to MJ's doctor.

[VirtueTT]

Primary school def they give you goes along the linges -

Red - Warmth and Friendliness of the people
White(2 stripes) - The purity of the water surrounding the islands
Black - Richness of the land


http://www.worldflags101.com/t/trinidad-flag.aspx

Trinidad and Tobago Flag Meaning:
The red base represents the vigor of the land in Trinidad and Tobago, the friendliness and courage of its people, and the sun. The black represents the unity and strength of the people, as well as the natural wealth of the country. The white represents the surrounding sea and the purity and equality of all people under the sun. Together, the colors represent earth, water and fire, which connect the nation's people to the past present and future.

[Q]

I could only speak for me. Here goes...

Firstly, It's not that I like to fight down T&T. Given the state of things as is, getting a tourist award is an obvious immediate shock. No rocket science there. That's why I made the necessary edit to my post.

Secondly, I love my country. I was a cadet, loved it and was ready to join the army subsequent to that and put foot to ass for my country if need be. I am one who still stands at FULL attention during the anthem (a practice that actually made me late for work once, funny story) and I still feel a swell of pride anytime I pass by the BIG-ASS flag by Center of Excellence (biggest in the Caribbean, btw).

I LOVE Trinidad and Tobago... Iz trinbagonians and dey SH!T ah cyah stand, from top to bottom and that's exactly why my youthful burning patriotism has fizzled some.

So let's remember the ppl with which were dealing and the situation in which we live before we scream "You iz not a patriot". As I said at the beginning, I could only speak for me. kthnxbai

[Arcmanov]

Taken from today's Express...

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/T_T_named__world_s_best_tourism_spot___who_called_whom_-132214683.html


Those of you who so quick to jump up and trumpet this 'award', read between the lines...if you're able to.  :|

Me, I'm a Swiss tourist. 

[QuickDraw]

1) mj docter = grenadian what disown it have in that? that come like saying the states disown him. 

2) for the colors that answer the one i get teach in primary school -> The Black represents for us the dedication of the people joined together by one strong bond. It is the colour of strength, of unity of purpose, and of the wealth of the land. Red is the colour most expressive of our country. It represents the vitality of the land and its peoples, it is the warmth and energy of the sun, the courage and friendliness of the people. White is the sea by which these lands are bound, the cradle of our heritage, the purity of our aspirations and the equality of all men under the sun.


i always used to mess it up and say purity of our heritage and done. 

3) "our" anthem.... not "ours" at all. written for the federation not for t&t. one from ten leave naught.

4) environment what? nariva swamp on the ramsar list since the 90s they still farming rice there? caroni and bucco get add in 05. what we do to protect them areas? what about illegal quarrying? it is wrong to cite our lip service protection of the environemt as a basis for any kinda prize. all who support movietown in the past years remember that they was supposed to replant all that mangrove? it ever happen?

5) protection of culture was probably all the prize money that share out over the carnival season and the taste of t&t things they doing



yes we blessed. we so blessed we dont even know how much so. but a false award doh big up nobody. it does just make you look bad in the end. better to earn it the right way. and as much as I love t&t we doh deserve that title at all. not yet.

[Spazosaurus]

There is a very salient lesson to be learnt here.

This is what happens when you want to jump into everything being all positive without stepping back and weighing the pros and cons...

Bogus tourism award
By Raffique Shah
Story Created: Oct 22, 2011 at 10:54 PM ECT
 Story Updated: Oct 22, 2011 at 10:54 PM ECT
I WAS not surprised that Tourism Minister Rupert Griffith was all excited over Trinidad and Tobago "winning" a "best destination 2012" award from a Romania-based organisation that seems to be as genuine as a three-dollar bill. Griffith does not strike me as being a particularly bright person, his doctorate notwithstanding.
What shocked me was Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's unqualified endorsement of the award. Really, is the PM so naive? She must know that in tourism we are not even in the minor league. Indeed, Carnival aside, we would have fewer foreign visitors to this twin-island republic than those who choose to visit crime-ridden Guyana, volcano-hit Montserrat or pancake-flat, tiny Saba.
But there was our PM hosting some dubious-looking characters at the Hyatt, giving thanks to them for bestowing an honour on this country, and proclaiming tourism as a major platform for our future development. By coincidence, I browsed through Government's Medium-Term Policy Framework and noted there was little reference to the tourism sector.

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/commentaries/Bogus_tourism_award-132390848.html