Can the world find Trinidad and Tobago?

A potential visitor sees images of Paramin: sprawling hills, fields of herbs, views from La Vigie lookout and a table laid out for lunch. She adds it to her bucket list.

Then come the questions. How does she get there? Who can take her around? Can she meet the farmers or enjoy a meal? What does it cost? How does she book and pay? If the answers are difficult to find, she may choose another experience or another country. That is where destination marketing meets its real test. We invest in making people interested in Trinidad and Tobago. What happens after we have caught their interest deserves equal attention.

After more than two decades of working in tourism research, destination marketing and policy, I see discoverability as a competitiveness issue. An experience must be findable, understandable and accessible to someone who has no local contacts. Otherwise, the distance between interest and income remains unnecessarily wide.

Looking at ourselves as a visitor would

Oropouche Lagoon: A scenic escape with a troubled past

Though the National Trust of T&T (NT) had its September 26 outdoor activity headlined simply as an “Oropouche Lagoon Tour”, its itinerary ensured that there was more than a fair share of food, thrills and trivia. It helped that tour guide Merle Seedial was knowledgeable about both past and contemporary issues, sustaining minibus chatter throughout the outbound journey. The group, however, maintained a fatigued silence on the return to Port-of-Spain, broken only by a stop at Grand Bazaar. NT events have become known for punctuality, and each stop remained largely faithful to the circulated schedule, which included sightseeing, food, and bathroom breaks.

The first stop was at the Digity Mud Volcano at Monkey Town in Debe. By then, a Seedial summary had prepared those who ventured, under mildly damp and overcast conditions, to the rim of the largest geological structure of its kind in the country to witness the small, active vent at its summit. The location appeared well-groomed and maintained. Twenty minutes there was long enough to stimulate appetites for a stop at the Debe Doubles Strip —something of a misnomer, since the menus vastly exceed even the customised offerings of the location’s famed doubles. Then the main attraction beckoned, even as rain loomed. It was off to Woodland and the Oropouche Lagoon, where the Sudama Teerath Hindu shrine, launched in 2000, stands at the water’s edge. Seedial explained that the shrine was designed to replicate the Ganges experience in India. She was also careful to clarify that, although the facility was inaugurated during the tenure of then Oropouche MP Trevor Sudama—and was, in fact, constructed by him—its name was derived from Sudama, the childhood friend of Lord Krishna.

Across the busy street and along the riverbank was the launching point for a scenic tour of the Godineau River and its promise of a bird-watching paradise. The latter did not quite materialise, according to the boatman, because of the weather conditions. Ibises, egrets and wild ducks, however, made only cameo appearances as the tour group stood atop the malfunctioning “14 Gate” floodgate system.Community activist and head of the South Oropouche Riverine Flood Action Group, Edward Moodie, told GML in a subsequent interview that there was no real reason why the problem had not been resolved, despite numerous representations to politicians and the authorities. He lamented the loss not only of farmland but also of marine life, including the once-bountiful cascadura (cascadoux) population, which he said had been reduced to near extinction. Two years ago, his Sustainable Climate Resilience Initiative launched a project to reintroduce cascadura into the lagoon network. The initiative was prompted by serious mosquito outbreaks and a loss of riverine biodiversity, Moodie explained. Cascadura is a natural predator and is therefore expected to help control mosquito populations

Finding joy in the country life of Barrackpore

Kaleem Mohammed loves horses, while his wife, Sakena Ali, loves art.

When Ali hosted her first sip-and-paint event in 2022, the couple began considering how they could combine their two interests. That same year, CountrylifeTT was born. What began with a rented tent and a few tables and chairs has grown into a countryside attraction in Barrackpore, where families can spend a day riding horses, painting, trying their hand at archery or simply enjoying the outdoors. For those visiting at weekends, Ali said, there was plenty to do or, if they preferred, they could do nothing at all. “Sit under a tree. Watch the horses and cattle. Enjoy the breeze and experience good vibes. That is what CountrylifeTT is all about,” she added.

Speaking to Guardian Media, Mohammed, 32, said the idea came from a desire to create something different in south Trinidad, where their two children, aged four and eight, could enjoy wholesome activities. Recalling their journey, Mohammed said: “My wife did her first sip and paint, and then one day she said, ‘Why don’t we combine both the things we love together?’ So we took the leap of faith, and that’s the stepping stone for Countrylife.” He said that when they started in 2022, there was little to suggest that the property would eventually become an attraction for international visitors

For families watching their budgets, Mohammed said, there is a package that allows parents to bring their own food and snacks while spending time with the horses. He said a horseback trail ride was reasonably priced, while a private sip-and-paint session included materials and guidance from Ali. Mohammed said it was gratifying to see visitors leave happy. He recalled one particularly memorable visit by a Jamaican man who had migrated to the United States and came to CountrylifeTT with his wife and daughter. “After the ride, my father invited the couple to join our family, and we cooked curried duck. It was really fun, and he was able to show his daughter what his Caribbean life had been like before he migrated,” Mohammed said.