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ICI•Pg_64-74__BMT_pg86-162 1/22/13 4:17 AM Page 73 TRINIDAD & TOBAGO AREA GUIDES DUAL ISLAND NATION HAS IT ALL BY SOLOMON J. HERBERT II Trinidad and Tobago is the double island nation that is one of the most diverse and interesting places to be found in the Caribbean. Trinidad, just seven miles from Venezuela, is the larger island at 50 miles by 37 miles and a population of about 1.25 million. Here you can find bustling cities, the world famous Carnival, and a delightful mix of ethnicities and cultures. Tobago, sister island to Trinidad, at just 26 miles long by seven miles wide, is the quintessential Caribbean island with secluded beaches, quaint villages, charming hotels and fabulous resorts. Meeting and event planners have a choice of 1,600 hotel rooms available, on Trinidad, with a large number of these rooms within walking distance of Port-ofSpain, the nation's capital. The newly renovated Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre in Port of Spain offers unique architectural design, amazing vistas and indulgent amenities, making this the ideal place for any guest. Business travelers have everything necessary for a successful event including more than 40,000 sq. ft. of event space, while leisure guests will find that these facilities and services exceed their expectations. Designed as the premiere meeting, convention, business, event and leisure travel property, the 428-room Hyatt is part of the International Waterfront Development situated in the heart of Port-of-Spain. Hyatt's flexible 43,000 sq. ft. of event space showcases a 16,000sq. ft. Grand Ballroom and a 10,000-sq. ft. Ballroom with translation facilities. Other guest facilities include one fullservice restaurant, a lobby bar plus a 9,000-sq. ft. Spa and A Hyatt Stay-Fit Gym. Another option for holding a meeting is The Cascadia Hotel and Conference Centre. Nestled in the foothills of the Northern Mountain Range, in the scenic St. Ann's Valley, Cascadia is a mere six minutes drive from the historic Queen's Park Savannah and barely nine minutes from the capital, Port-of-Spain. Hyatt Regency Trinidad While Trinidad is the center of business and conference activity in this dual island destination, Tobago's prowess as a nature lover's paradise is legendary. Tobago provides endless opportunities to witness the natural joys of the Caribbean, and boasts a wide range of natural habitats such as mountains covered with tropical rainforest, mangrove swamps, tropical savannahs, rivers, waterfalls, and pristine beaches. More than steelpan, masqueraders and calypso, Tobago's Carnival celebrations embrace many of the island's traditions. Speech bands, whip wielding devils called jab jabs (from French diable), bottle and spoon bands and African drumming are incorporated into the island's celebrations. Tobago's Carnival is laid back when compared to the frenzied festivities in Trinidad. The two-day climax of pre-Lenten Carnival celebrations kick off between 4 and 5 am on Carnival Monday with J'Ouvert (French patois for opening of day). J'Ouvert revelers covered in mud, men dressed as women or costumed in nightgowns and waving chamber pots, party till daylight on the streets of Scarborough, Tobago's capital. Business travelers and tourists must produce passports valid for three months longer than the intended stay and a return ticket, for entry into Trinidad and Tobago. For tourism and business related visits of up to 90 days, visas are not required for citizens of the United States, Caricom (except Haiti), European Union and British Commonwealth. There are two international airports in Trinidad and Tobago, the Piarco International Airport, Trinidad and the A.N.R Robinson International Airport, Tobago. Trinidad is a major transport hub in the Caribbean and access to the island from key destinations in the US, South America and Europe is easy. Domestic flights and daily sailings of the ferry service supports travel between Trinidad and Tobago. • • • STATS • • • HOTEL ROOMS Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre 418 Hyatt Regency Trinidad 428 The Cascadia Hotel and Conference Centre 68 Courtyard Port of Spain 116 Kapok Hotel 94 WHO YOU GONNA CALL? Go Trinidad and Tobago (868) 675-7034 www.gotrinidadandtobago.com B M & T ••• November/December 2012 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 73