TDC VOTED MOST OUTSTANDING CARIBBEAN TOURIST BOARD 2006

The Tourism Development Company (of Trinidad and Tobago) Limited TDC has been awarded by the Caribbean Hotel Association for being voted as the Outstanding Caribbean Tourist Board 2006. The announcement was made at an exclusive black-tie gala dinner on Saturday, November 4, 2006, at the Renaissance Chancery Court Hotel, in London during World Travel Market (WTM) – one of the world’s largest travel trade shows.

The "Crystal Palm Awards for Excellence," which recognizes those industry partners who have stood out in their efforts towards the development of tourism to the Caribbean from the United Kingdom and Europe, is based on the votes cast by Caribbean hoteliers and tourist boards, as well as tour operators and trade press from the United Kingdom and Europe. “This group of people and organizations make a powerful case for the value of partnerships, different sectors of one industry working together – in this case, tourism, the lifeblood of the Caribbean people,” said CHA President Peter J. Odle.

“It is an honour, in our very first year of existence, to receive this award and to be recognized for our international promotional efforts, undertaken in conjunction with our valued stakeholders. This is a great encouragement as we continue to develop, market and promote Trinidad and Tobago’s tourism product” commented Dr. James Hepple, President and Director of the TDC.

Other award recipients for the night included Grenada’s Spice Island Beach Resort, recognized as the Outstanding Caribbean Small Hotel 2006 and the Round Hill Hotel and Villas Resort, Jamaica, recognized as the Outstanding Caribbean Large Hotel 2006. The Crystal Palm Awards of Excellence is CHA’s premier event in the European Marketplace and was established in 1997 to honor the Caribbean’s leading travel partners in the United Kingdom and Europe.

A local delegation, comprised of local tourism stakeholders as well as members of the Tobago House of Assembly and the TDC, is currently representing Trinidad and Tobago at WTM in the UK. WTM will run until Thursday, November 9.