Tourism Minister Dr Rupert Griffith is moving swiftly to develop community and eco tourism along the north east coast to give a fillip to the country's earnings. On Friday, Griffith visited far flung Grande Riviere, Matelot and Sans Souci in search of virgin territory to enhance Trinidad's tourism thrust. Griffith said several of T&T's picturesque beaches, waterfalls and nature trails can attract tourists and visitors year round, but need to be developed. He drew reference to a hidden waterfall in Salybia, which he recently discovered had a lot of potential for eco tourism but lacked infrastructure. Once developed, Griffith said, this will no doubt generate a lot of revenue.
Griffith was speaking to reporters in Tacarigua yesterday after handing out 500 passes to children of Hope Centre and the St Mary's Chilldren's Home, giving them access to free tours of the 2010 Tour and Explore Tourism Park.
Griffith said part of the ministry's development plan involves the setting up of concessionary stands where tourists can enjoy local cuisine and have the luxury of being transported safely to and from their hotels. So far, Griffith said, he has met five groups from Matelot to Vega de Oropouche who were interested in community tourism. "They all came with a list of virgin products which we will look at and see as far as possible how to develop those areas."