Tour Operators Encourage Staycations

Experience T&T 2014 Tours, a new campaign aimed at the public, was launched on July 23 by the T&T Incoming Tour Operators’ Association (TTITOA) in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism and the Tourism Development Company to promote local tourism.

Experience T&T will run for the entire month of August, when children are home from school and parents are seeking activities packed with fun and learning. The initiative offers guided all-inclusive tours to a variety of destinations around T&T, all at a reduced cost.

A release from the Tour Operators Association said the public can select from 15 tours, including a visit to Bush Bush Nariva, the largest fresh-water wetland in the Caribbean and home to the magnificent red howler and capuchin monkeys.

There are also tours for the more adventurous, including waterfall rappelling in Brasso Seco, wakeboarding in the Gulf of Paria, visiting the Gasparee Caves, and hiking to the Rio Seco Waterfall followed by a trip complete with a history lesson to the Toco Lighthouse.

TTITOA, an organization of tour operators established 24 years ago to manage local tour operations, opened its call center on July 23 to facilitate questions from the public and tour bookings.

Lorraine Pouchet, TTITOA president, said in the release, it was really important that the organization create awareness within T&T for the many exciting activities available to those interested in a “staycation.”

“Experience T&T 2014 tours create an opportunity for people to holiday at home. We also hope to encourage through the tours not only Trinidadians visiting Tobago for day trips but also we would like for Tobagonians to come experience Trinidad,” Pouchet said.

“For us, success would be that the public is aware of the many affordable and interesting options right here in T&T. Additionally, we want patrons to book and enjoy different tours, as well as encourage others, long after the campaign has ended.”

Source: The Trinidad & Tobago Guardian