Beaches

I know I have mentioned beaches quite a lot, but we are talking about the Caribbean islands and that means beaches are a big part of that experience, even more so when those beaches are all amazing in their own special way. 

Maracas beach, Trinidad, is hands down one of the most popular and is the place to be for both tourists and locals alike with its white sand, beautiful blue water and glorious waves. Unlike most of Tobago’s beaches Maracas has waves to make you experience a little more excitement. There is Las Cuevas Bay just 15min drive from Maracas with similar waves but the beach is longer and more spacious so you can feel a little less clustered when the crowds are in. Let’s not forget you can always get a nice bake and shark after. 

As for Tobago, one of the most unique beaches that we did not mention till now is one called No Mans Land. It is so called because for a long time there was no way of getting to this beach other than by boat. There was no way to get to it by car until a few years ago when a track was made. This beach joins to mangrove wetlands and is an important habitat for many species of bird.

 Our beaches are bound with endless beauty making them crucially essential for a successful tourism sector. Let us remember this on our next visit to the beach. As visitors and locals let us try to conserve the magnificence and splendor so it may lasts for decades to come.

Nylon Pool

I have said that our twin island is just magical and this is no lie. The most majestic place in all of Tobago is the Nylon Pool. This is latterly located at the back of the Buccoo Reef and is a stop on the Buccoo Reef tour. Princess Margaret is responsible for giving the pool its name, on her visit there in 1962.

 We call it pool because of the shallow waters and white sand. One thing that truly makes the Nylon Pool magical is the legend of rejuvenation to those lucky enough to swim in its waters. There is also a romantic myth. It is believed that if a couple kisses underneath the water of the pool, their marriage will not only be a happy and loving one but it will last for a lifetime. So if that is not enough to make you want to swim in its waters then I don’t know what will.

Have you been to the Nylon Pool? Wouldn’t you agree that it is a ‘must see’ for all locals and tourists?

Buccoo Reef

When travelling to Tobago the Buccoo Reef will be one of those places that you just have to experience yourself. A French oceanographer and explorer Jacques Cousteau visited Tobago's Buccoo Reef and rated it as the third most spectacular reef in the world. See it for yourself and you will understand. Crystal clear water, that is just full of colour and life. Every day there are tours that will take you out to the reef on a glass bottom boat, so if you don’t feel like getting into the water you will not miss a thing, but we strongly suggest that you dive in and get the full experience for yourself. There are so many colourful fish in and around the corals. Who knows you might even find Nemo.

With this being such an important island treasure and tourist destination do you think the authorities and country as a whole do enough to protect and conserve the reef? 

Gasparee Caves

Trinidad and Tobago is home to some of the most beautiful places on earth, we are blessed enough to have more than one in our twin island. One place that will surely take your breath away with its miraculous beauty is the Gasparee caves.

Take a walk 90ft under sea level and discover a new world. The limestone walls of the cave have dissolved due to the wave action, acidic rainfall and percolating ground-water, leaving behind sculptured caverns, caves, sinkholes, stalactites and stalagmites. All of its beauty is enhanced by natural light reflections which show off the magnificent blue of the underground pools. 

So my question is how many of you have seen this wonder with your own eyes? How many of you are going to make a trip to see it for the first time or to re visit this magical cave? This is a perfect destination to go with the family that will leave a memory that will last a lifetime.

The Pitch Lake

Trinidad is home to the world’s largest pitch lake, approximately 95 acres. Few others even come close the size of ours. It is located on Trinidad’s west coast and is the reason we are able to export pitch to over thirty countries worldwide to be used on highways, airports, bridges and other heavy duty sites.

There is one popular legend of how the pitch lake came to be. According to the myth, a tribe existed in the very spot of the present day pitch lake. After a victory in battle they celebrated with a big feast where humming birds were cooked and eaten. These birds however were believed to be the spirits of their ancestors. The Gods were as a result angered and opened up the earth, summoning the pitch lake to swallow the village and its people.

To give credit to the story archaeologists have found relics from the tribe as well as a tooth that belonged to the largest prehistoric mammal to walk, a mammoth. In 1928 a huge tree estimated to be 4000 years old rose 10 feet before sinking back into the lake.

What do you think about this legend? Does it spark an even greater interest to visit the lake? 

Zip Lining

For those who want to get a little more excitement from their visit and experience that adrenaline rush, zip lining is a fitting option. Come to Chaguaramas, Trinidad for a zip line experience of a life time. Soar high above the ground from point to point as you take in some of the most breath taking views of the North West peninsular, located in the lush green forests of Macqueripe bay. There are 5 canopies, net bridges and 7 zip lines, with the longest being 400ft and suspended 120ft above ground at its highest point. The guides are all highly qualified to ensure your safety. There is also ample police presence together with a 24/7 camera control to monitor vehicles. No tourist should leave the island without trying this. This is fun for the entire family.

Hiking

When it comes to eco-tourism there is nothing like taking a hike to experience the beauty of our islands from a unique stand point. Hiking through the trails and up the rivers to finally land you at a beautiful pool and waterfall. There are numerous waterfalls that are scattered throughout the islands and each with its own treasured beauty.

There are many available hiking clubs such as Hikers Inc, Trinbago Backpackers Hikers Club and U.W.I Hiking club just to name a few. There are different classes from 1 to 10, 1 being the easiest and 10 being the most difficult so you can make an appropriate selection best suited to your capabilities. The tour guides will put everyone into groups so that no one is left behind or separated from one another. Take in the beautiful sights, sounds and smell as you hike up the tracks on your way to your destination, meanwhile your tour guides will point out important information along the way. The hikes are usually very inexpensive and it will be an avenue to experience the great outdoors. Which hikes have you been to? Which do you prefer and what hikes do you recommend for tourists to enjoy? 

Night Life

Trinidadians and Tobagonians are known for being the “party people” .They posses a unique way of being able to turn any situation into a “lime” (party.) So when the sun goes down the island transforms. 

The biggest and most popular liming spot is Ariapita Avenue better known as the “Ave”. It is only 0.25 kilometres in length but with bars, clubs and restaurants on both sides there is much to choose from and it will take you more than two nights to experience it all. Other big clubs such as Zen and Club51 are located close by. Best part of all is the continuous expansion of the Ave, where new places are always popping up that cater to the varied taste in music and atmosphere. Police regularly patrol the Ave so you can feel at ease. 

So my question to you now is if you are in Trinidad where will you be liming tonight? Name some Night Life hotspots that a tourist should visit and what are some of the things that can be done to help tourists find these places?

Steelpan

I agree Calypso will always have its place in Carnival. Another influential type of music famous at Carnival time is that of the steelpan. Steelband music is a sound that has become synonymous with tropical island vacations and Caribbean holidays. Some classify it as the National instrument of T&T. 

The steelpan was invented in Trinidad and Tobago in the early 1940’s and is widely regarded as the only major musical instrument to be invented in the 20th century.

Several innovators throughout steel pan history have made significant contributions to the development of the instrument such as Winston ‘Spree’ Simon, Ellie Mannette, Anthony Williams and Bertie Marshall.

Steelpan music and techniques are now taught at several major universities internationally and it is confirmed that India has pledged to support the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) in promoting the instrument.

My question is do you think enough is being done to promote it? What can we do to promote it and how does it play a part in the Tourism Sector?

Calypso and Soca

It’s great to see how happy and passionate you all are about Carnival Monday & Tuesday, the “Fetes, J'Ouvert and the joy it brings to Tinbagonians. When we hear of Carnival, we think of the energy and vibrancy that comes along with its music. The most popular during this period is that of calypso and soca music.

 Calypso rhythms can be traced back to the time of the African slave trade where it was used as a means of communication and mockery of slave masters. The golden era of calypso was between 1914 and 1920 when the first recording was created that subsequently gave birth to the first calypso tent. One cannot simply refer to calypso without mentioning the most prominent figure in the art, that is, Lord Kitchener who dominated the industry until the 1970’s. 

Following this, outside music influences from Jamaica, the rest of the islands and America resulted in musical fusion leading to a more upbeat, less socially conscious version of the art now known as Soca. In today’s Carnival soca has been the more dominant of the two, but many still believe calypso will always have their place in the event. 

Do you think this is true? What can be done to keep the art form of calypso alive, without taking away from the newfound soca ? Do we do enough to promote our local music and use it as a stepping stone for tourism? What more can be done? 

Carnival

Thus far we have been discussing the success of the tourism sector in T&T, ways in which to improve it, and the benefits and possible negative impacts which may accompany it. These are all quite pertinent and important topics that are often overlooked. With that being said, I think it’s time to focus on the ‘positives’ and look at what unique experiences this twin island has to offer.

Let’s begin with what can be called our most colourful event. It is known as the ‘greatest show in the world’ that is Trinidad and Tobago Carnival and is also referred to as the ‘mother of all West Indian carnivals’. It is during this time we see the highest influx of visitors, the all time record experienced in 2005 at 463,000 arrivals.

The festival originated hundreds of years ago by followers of the Catholic religion in Italy, where a celebration entitled ‘Carnevale’ (meaning to put away the meat) was held right before the Lenten season (fasting period). It was brought to T&T in 1785 by the French settlers and has since been fused with the influences of other African, Spanish, Chinese, American Indian and East Indian immigrants.

Today, masqueraders proudly portray their costumes, excitedly parading for the two-day period in which they ‘party’ their stress away. The event is heavily accompanied by local entertainment and artistes. Calypso, soca and steelpan music are intensely enjoyed.

So what are your thoughts on Carnival? What are your plans for 2016, will you be a masquerader or probably just a spectator? What more do you think can be done to make the occasion a bigger, better and more successful one? 

Negative Impacts of Tourism

Indeed we have much to gain from Tourism; the benefits are overwhelming for all facets of life in T&T as suggested by your comments. Researchers however, have disputed over the negative impacts of Tourism. 

Popular disadvantages seem to surround the same three categories mentioned under tourism benefits, that is economic, social and environmental. Economic drawbacks may include a strain on a country’s resources such as water, food and energy; social issues can lead to the erosion of traditional values with the introduction of too many foreign policies and with regards to environmental, a lot may be at stake such as soil erosion, off course heightened land and sea pollution, vulnerability to deforestation and amplified pressure on endangered species.

Do you all agree or disagree? Will such negative impacts affect T&T’s tourism and to what extent? How can they be minimized so that benefits may outweigh negatives and a sustainable tourism sector can be maintained and enjoyed? 

Benefits of Tourism

With regards to tourism development in my last post, you guys made some very strong recommendations for a successful sector. I must say I totally agree that revised Government policies to address issues such as improved marketing with the aid of increased social media usage, quality tourism education and the delivery of reliable and consistent public transportation services pushed through dependable and ground breaking activists will make a positive change.

This brings me to my next point of what exactly constitutes this positive change. A thriving tourism industry is said to be beneficial to any country so what are these benefits? Do they include added job opportunities, increased foreign investment, a greater sense of national identity and the conservation of natural resources and ecosystems? In following through with your recommendations, what are the advantages to be received by individuals, families, communities, businesses, the government and Trinidad and Tobago as a whole? What economic, social and environmental benefits do you think we stand to gain? 

Tourism Development

Most of you would agree that despite the promotional tactics initiated and undergone by the TDC and its affiliates, much more can and needs to be done in relation to T&T’s Tourism industry.

I concur with the opinion that such marketing is prioritized towards more popular and money making facets of the industry such as carnival and nightlife. Unfortunately, the eco-tourism and environmental aspects seem to be overlooked somewhat, where there is a problem in the formulation and implementation of effective strategies as avidly mentioned in a previous, most fundamental comment. This person’s passionate views are admired and I’m sure is shared by other nature, wildlife, eco-tourism and environmental enthusiasts and activists.

Locals need to appreciate what their island has to offer in its entirety before we can sell it to foreigners. Every effort should be made by individuals, families, communities, businesses and the government to preserve, conserve and promote tourism in T&T. You all already made some suggestions but how can this be effectively achieved by each societal group previously mentioned, not only in terms of planning but more so in successful implementation. What are your thoughts on this?

I have posted a video below depicting the ever so lovely island of Trinidad in all its magnificent beauty. Do enjoy!!!! 

Timelapsing Through Trinidad from Kevin Huggins on Vimeo.

Succesful Tourism Sector in T&T?

We can see that the general consensus from your comments indicate that T&T has much to offer. Most of you mention the beaches, particularly Maracas and Tobago beaches, hiking, waterfall trails, going down the islands, fishing, turtle watching, cuisine and nightlife. These are indeed popular tourists’ destinations and activities.

However it is a fact that the twin island offers a lot more and a much greater variety of things to do and places to visit. In Trinidad some places of interest include the Pitch Lake, Paramin, Lopinot, Clever Woods, the Digity mud volcanoes and the temple in the sea while some of Tobago’s sightseeing includes Fort James, Plymouth Mystery Tomb, Flagstaff Hill, Englishman’s Bay and Little Tobago . Visits to the Asa Wright Nature Centre in the North of Trinidad and the Wild Fowl Trust in the South promote eco-tourism and the conservation of wildlife. Saut D’eau, a small island just of the north coast of Trinidad’s mainland is considered a hidden treasure for nature seeking and hiking trails.

This leads me to the question; do locals and foreigners fully appreciate and take advantage of tourism opportunities? If not, why do you think this is so? Do you think that the efforts by the Tourism Development Company (TDC) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment (MTII) are sufficient and successful in promoting and marketing the tourism sector on the twin island?