Today, Thursday 27th September, Trinidad and Tobago joins the international community to celebrate World Tourism Day 2018. This year’s theme “Tourism and the Digital Transformation”, recognises the rapidly changing face of the tourism industry and the opportunities to be derived from this technological revolution.
While travellers have always been curious, they now have access to more data than ever before and greater ability to act on information gathered.
The traditional travel decision-making process may have included a visit to a trusted travel agency and choosing among the options offered there. Today, the entire process can be executed on our smart devices.
While the Ministry of Tourism remains focused on policy formulation, strategic planning and oversight of the tourism sector, we are also leaving our footprint on the digital landscape: standing ready to support our stakeholders as they utilise new methods to meet consumers’ evolving demands.
Most recently, the Ministry sponsored the participation of 20 small tourism operators in a seminar, Digital Trends in Tourism, held at the Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business (UWI) on September 26th 2018. Opportunities like these allow participants to learn about the transformation of the sector and understand the need to embrace technology to improve the experiences of their guests.
I wish to thank all our direct and indirect tourism businesses for your tremendous efforts, despite the challenges, in promoting Trinidad and Tobago. I look forward to on-going collaborations and conversation with you on the best way forward for the successful development of a sustainable tourism sector in Trinidad and Tobago.
The Honourable Randall Mitchell, MP
Minister of Tourism