London, November 12, 2012- Trinidad and Tobago created a big splash at the first official day of the World Travel Market on November 5 at the ExCel Centre in London. His Excellency High Commissioner Garvin Nicholas and the Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Stephen Cadiz showed London and the rest of the world what Trini hospitality is all about by staging a world class invitation to Trinidad and Tobago.
The High Commissioner and Minister Cadiz took part in several meetings throughout the day with the various stakeholders which included Virgin Holidays, Tropical Sky and Monarch.
(l to r) Dwayne Bravo, HE Garvin Nicholas, Brian Lara and Daren Ganga
For celebrity watchers the Trinidad and Tobago booth was a prime spot as the country’s top cricket stars Brian Lara, Darren Ganga and Dwayne Bravo were on hand to sign mini-cricket bats while footballers Dwight Yorke and Shaka Hislop were signing mini footballs. The autographed memorabilia were all sold for the Just a Drop international water aid charity. The sporting personalities also joined TV star Rudolph Walker in chatting with guests and posing for pictures.
The Rum Ambassador Ian Burrell was on hand to create special Angostura cocktails for guests. Costumed masquerades danced to steelpan music and in so doing created a truly warm atmosphere on what was an otherwise chilly day in London. Visitors to the booth were seen sipping rum punch and waving red, black and white bandanas in time to the music.
In the afternoon Minister Cadiz launched the Gold Book edition of Trinidad and Tobago; Terrific and Tranquil at the Trinidad and Tobago booth. Copies of the book were handed out to visiting tour operators and members of the press. As the booth wrapped up the day’s activities, tour operators and other tourism stakeholders were invited to take a “Down De Islands” cruise on the River Thames where guests partied in true Trini style.
