The Investment Promotion Department of the Tourism Development Company Limited (TDC) recently concluded the first in a series of workshops and on-the-job training for the Department of Tourism, Tobago House of Assembly (THA).
The initial investment facilitation workshop was conducted on the 17th and 18th of February, 2009, at the Mount Irvine Bay Hotel and Golf Club and saw participation by twelve (12) THA staff members. On the first day, Mr. Cliff Hamilton, Managing Director of Leisure, Hospitality & Tourism International, forged a thorough understanding of Tourism Policy with an interactive presentation, which included an overview of Tourism Policy, and discussion on the following topics:

• Factors Affecting and Influencing Tourism Policies
• Regional Tourism Policies
• Trinidad and Tobago’s Tourism Policies
• Tourism Policy Making in Tobago’s Context
• Future World Tourism Policy Issues

On day two of the programme, Mr. Cornell Buckradee, TDC’s Investment Promotion Manager provided participants with a comprehensive overview of the Tourism Development Act 2000 (TDA). Ms. Janet Furlonge, TDC’s Investment Promotion/Facilitation Coordinator, presented on investment facilitation services, documents required for approval of tourism projects and general procedures for accessing benefits. To follow-up on the initial workshops, one-day on-the-job training will be provided to participants on a fortnightly basis over the next six (6) months to ensure practical capabilities are strengthened. On completion of the programme, participants will be equipped with the skills to administer the benefits under the TDA and provide effective guidance and assistance to potential investors.