PM Kamla opens Ecotourism centre, has high expectations of new TDC board

The Ecocentre will be a gateway for a unique type of tourism

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Wednesday said she has high expectations that the new board of the Tourism Development Company of Trinidad & Tobago (TDC), which was inaugurated on Monday, will advance tourism in the country.

She was speaking in Valencia at the formal opening of Phase 1 of the Ecotourism Visitor Centre, which she said has been built from a dream of developing an excellent tourism produced that is different from the traditional Caribbean paradise of sun, sea and surf.

Persad-Bissessar said the centre is is a symbol of community empowerment, community ownership and national pride.

"Moreover, it is a symbol of government’s unwavering commitment to driving the further development of the tourism industry and the diversification of our national economy," she added. The facility is built around the centrepiece of the turtles and the concept of establishing a Turtle Village.

She praised all the stakeholders, and in particular, Tourism Minister Dr Rupert Griffith, for the "extraordinary feat" of completing the project in seven months.

Griffith announced details of the centre last August, describing the facility as “one step in the many efforts we are making to develop tourism for Trinidad and Tobago.”

He said the park would be done in three phases—the centre which will cost $1.4 million; public education and awareness–$505,000 and training and capacity building–$154,000.

The facility that she opened features the Tourist Centre that is fully stocked with a range of visual aids and interpretative materials on Trinidad and Tobago; a cafeteria; a Craft Shop where local and international visitors can buy historical artifacts, and all types of arts, crafts made by artisans within the community.

"This Centre will play a major role in Trinidad’s tourism industry as it will serve as a strategically located “Gateway to Community Based Eco-Tourism” for the north east and eastern regions of the island," the Prime Minister said.

"Indeed, this project is aligned to this country’s vision to become the premier ecotourism destination in the Caribbean, characterised by a diverse natural and cultural heritage and driven by uniquely differentiated ecotourism product offerings," she added.

Persad-Bissessar said she hopes that the communities in the vicinity of the centre will take full advantage of the new infrastructure.

"I am informed that the Valencia’s visitor facility model will be adopted in other regions of Trinidad and Tobago. Therefore, we will have a quality circuit of new rest stops and visitor centres providing tourist information and much needed income and sustainable jobs.

"I want to especially congratulate the Turtle Village Trust on this splendid initiative. The wide range of projects that you have been able to execute since your inception speaks volume to the special bond that has developed in this partnership between community groups, business and government.

She said this is a time for new hope and new beginnings as Trinidad & Tobago celebrates its Golden Jubilee of independence.

"This is a time when we resolve to put country first so that our children and our children’s children will reap bountiful rewards. Let us resolve to make this great country of ours even stronger.

"Yes, we have achieved remarkable things in our nation’s journey. But I firmly believe that even better days lie ahead. Trinidad and Tobago is a nation that has done great things and will do them again and again.

Together, let us make 2012 a year of which every citizen of Trinidad and Tobago can be proud... A year when our tourism sector will shine its light brightly."