PORT OF SPAIN: In a move to increase Trinidad and Tobago’s share of the lucrative global tourism market, the Tourism Development Company Limited (TDC) on Wednesday launched a National Tourism Quality Service Improvement Programme (NTQSIP).

A three year multi-faceted programme with a projected cost of TT$9 million, the NTQSIP aims to train and develop tourism industry service providers to improve the quality of service delivery in the tourism industry.

“Merely developing sites and attractions or putting in place an aggressive marketing strategy will not be enough to achieve our long-term growth targets for our local tourism industry. We are putting in place an integrated plan and we are paying more attention to service excellence in particular, as ultimately, it is visitors’ experience in our country that will make them want to return or not,” said Trinidad and Tobago’s Tourism Minister the Honourable Joseph Ross at the launch of the programme.

The TDC has partnered with FreemanGroup Service Solutions to roll-out the programme which targets all hospitality employees, ports of entry personnel, academia and hospitality students with a comprehensive and integrated approach to building a sustainable culture of service excellence in Trinidad and Tobago.

“The National Tourism Quality Service Improvement Programme will be an ideal...

NEW YORK, NY - November, 2009 -- Anguilla, the serene island paradise in the Caribbean, known for its tranquility, beauty and famed upscale resorts is developing new initiatives with substantial reasons for incentive and meeting planners to take a closer look at this unspoiled, tropical island getaway.

In dealing with the Caribbean, incentive and meeting planners have grown accustomed to common destinations such as the Bahamas, Bermuda, Jamaica, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. But what industry planners truly value is finding something undiscovered -- with qualities that can deliver a special and rich experience for their clients or organization.

Anguilla is a small island with a huge reputation. It is a British overseas territory tucked away in the northern Caribbean, consisting of 35 square miles of magic, history and beauty. Some unique features include 33 pristine, powder-white sand beaches considered to be among the best in the world, exclusive luxury resorts, a gracious and welcoming people, and a plethora of dining and activity options for the discerning traveler.

Its character and relaxing atmosphere make Anguilla the perfect destination for top performers who want to escape rowdy crowds, big cruise ships and loud music. While there is no international airport, we accommodate luxury jet...

Bridgetown, BARBADOS (November 18, 2009) – The American tradition of combining Thanksgiving and football is adding another element to Thanksgiving Day: three Barbados-born performers – Shontelle, Hal Linton, and Vita Chambers, singing the classic songs of Motown.

The 2009 United Way Thanksgiving Day Halftime Show: “A Motown 50th Anniversary Tribute,” will take place during the first game of the NFL’s Thanksgiving tripleheader when the Detroit Lions host the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, November 26 at 12:30 PM ET on FOX.    

The Motor City will be filled with the Thanksgiving spirit, as Shontelle, Hal Linton, Vita Chambers and the other Motown halftime performers, Melanie Fiona, Forever The Sickest Kids, and Kem join United Way the week of their performance to volunteer at the Detroit Boys & Girls Club’s “I Am Thankful” Dinner on Tuesday, November 24 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Shontelle, Linton and Chambers are all proud of their Bajan roots. “It’s a really proud time for us,” Linton said as he spoke about the rising success of Barbadian musicians. “Barbados is a real musical town and that shows by the amount of artist coming out from there.”

After Linton’s first single “Cardiac Arrest” was released in 2007, he was likened to musical...

NEW YORK, November 4, 2009 – For the third consecutive year, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), will bring championship volleyball to the Caribbean, showcasing the skills of Olympic and pro players and coaches during GObeachfest 2009. Organized by Volleyball Vacations, GObeachfest will take place at Club Med Turkoise located in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos, from November 7-21. The star-studded matches will feature Olympic champions including 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist Phil Dalhausser and 2008 Olympian Sean Rosenthal. 

“Beach volleyball is a popular sport in the Caribbean and we are ecstatic to host such high caliber volleyball players in our Region,” said Sylma Brown, Director of Marketing (Ag.) of the Caribbean Tourism Organization. “The sports tourism industry has been a driving factor in boosting arrivals to the Caribbean, so we’d like to continue to host key events such as this to support the interests of these travelers.”

GObeachfest is designed as a full athletic retreat and destination vacation targeting sports enthusiasts who want to train and network with pro athletes. The event will offer all of the amenities of a beach resort vacation with the addition of world-class athletic training and socializing with people of similar interests. Pro athletes from many disciplines and...

Basseterre, St. Kitts – October 29th, 2009: On Saturday, October 24, 2009, the St. Kitts Tourism Authority welcomed Dave Price, weather anchor for the CBS Early Show, as a special guest at the island’s 9th Annual Tourism Awards Banquet held at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort, where he was presented with a Special Recognition Award for his advocacy of St. Kitts and the wider Caribbean region.

“It is an honor that Dave Price agreed to join us at our Tourism Awards Banquet this year and accept his Award in person,” said Senator Ricky Skerritt, Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism Sports & Culture.  “His continued support of St. Kitts and the the region over the years has shown him to be a true friend of Caribbean tourism.  We used this opportunity to show him our sincerest appreciation as well as some of our renowned Kittitian hospitality, fine accommodations and scenic natural beauty.”

The Award was presented to Dave by Minister Skerritt himself in front of a large appreciative audience of local tourism stakeholders.  In his acceptance speech, Dave remarked on the genuine warmth of the Kittitian people, stating, “From when we got to the restaurant to the moment we met...