One of the largest cruise ships heading to Trinidad and Tobago

The MSC Cruises Travel Partners Event was attended by local cruise-specific travel agents and their representatives. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the CEO of the Tourism Development Company (TDC) for Trinidad and Tobago, (Ag.) Arveon Mills, pointed out that, “Getting the cruise lines to visit our destination is one thing, but it is important that we show our visitors a fantastic time on our beautiful island.” Mills also reminded the travel partners about their responsibility to visitors, stating, “As local travel partners, you bridge an important gap that can make or break a visitor’s impression of our destination.”

The MSC Fantasia will begin calls to Port of Spain during the 2017/8 cruise season. The announcement was made at the MSC Cruises Travel Partners Event hosted by MSC Cruises and co-sponsored by the Tourism Development Company on Friday, February 24, 2017. The MSC Fantasia has a passenger capacity of 3,900 with 1,200 crew members. It will be the second largest cruise ship to visit to Trinidad.

Following the opening ceremony, MSC Cruises’ Trinidad-born Regional Vice President, Sales (USA) – Mr. Wayne Peyreau conducted a training workshop with the local travel partners. This provided the opportunity for them to forge alliances with MSC in order to enhance their destination marketing initiatives.

Since 2012, the TDC has been engaged in discussions with MSC Cruises in Sorrento, Italy and Miami with the objective of influencing the deployment of MSC Cruise Ships to Trinidad and Tobago. As a result of these efforts, the MSC Divina, the largest cruise ship to have visited the country, and the MSC Orchestra were deployed to Trinidad in 2014 and 2015 respectively. Trinidad has become a popular port of call for the MSC family of ships with the return of the MSC Poesia in 2016-2017 and expected calls in 2018-2019.

MSC Cruises is a Swiss-based, global cruise company with headquarters in Geneva and Naples. A part of the Mediterranean Shipping Company, it is the world’s largest privately owned cruise company and the world’s second biggest container shipping operator. The MSC cruise itineraries include the Caribbean region.

Home to the largest Carnival celebration in the Caribbean, Trinidad & Tobago is the southernmost Caribbean nation located seven miles east off the Venezuelan coast. Ranked the happiest nation in the Caribbean by the United Nations’ World Happiness Report, in 2013 and 2015, the destination’s distinct and harmonious blend of cultures, eclectic cuisine and environmental treasures continue to attract travelers of all ages to its shores. Birthplace of the limbo and the world famous steelpan, the only acoustic instrument invented in the 20th century, as well as a diverse mix of monthly festivals and events, it’s little wonder that Trinidad is known as the ‘cultural capital of the Caribbean.’ Sister island Tobago offers a quintessential Caribbean vibe with secluded beaches, quaint villages, private villas and award-winning eco attractions. Tobago is home to the largest brain coral in the Western Hemisphere and the oldest protected reserve in the Western hemisphere, The Main Ridge Rainforest. Come and explore Trinidad and Tobago – the true Caribbean!

For more information on Trinidad & Tobago, visit gotrinidadandtobago.com or visittobago.gov.tt

Follow Trinidad and Tobago on Facebook

PHOTO: At the MSC Cruises Travel Partners Event (From L-R) – Ms. Arveon Mills – TDC CEO (Ag.); Mr. Wayne Peyreau – MSC Cruises Regional Vice President, Sales (USA); and Ms. Vidiah Ramkhelawan – Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism