Tobago records highest increase in visitor arrivals in 9 years

Representatives from the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited and stakeholders from the island’s tourism industry at WTM London 2019. Arrivals from the UK market saw an increase of 6.7% in 2019 over 2018.

Tobago’s tourism industry is experiencing a momentous breakthrough as the destination recorded the highest increase in international stayover arrivals to the island in nine (9) years. At the end of December 2019, statistics revealed that there were 19,542 international stayover arrivals to Tobago for the year - an 8.2% increase over 2018.
Furthermore, 2020 arrival figures for Tobago already indicate a continued upward trajectory in stayover arrivals for the island, as January 2020 figures show a 21.8% increase over January 2019 - 2,805 stayover arrivals this year as compared to 2,303 last year.
Commenting on the recent milestone in Tobago’s journey to a rejuvenated tourism industry, CEO of the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited, Mr. Louis Lewis, stated:
“The rebranding of Destination Tobago as Tobago Beyond: unspoilt, untouched, undiscovered, as well as a new Go To Market strategy unveiled by the Agency in 2018, was the catalyst for positive performance in Tobago’s tourism sector.
The renewed brand identity has proven to resonate well with trade partners and consumers alike in Tobago’s source markets, and complemented TTAL’s award-winning marketing campaign crafted to create positive impressions of the destination, and convert those impressions to bookings. These successes were only made possible through collaboration with the island’s stakeholders.” The performance of the Canadian market last year was a significant factor in the overall growth recorded. Canada was identified by the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited as one of the new growth markets for destination Tobago in 2017 when the organisation was established.
By December 2018, TTAL successfully negotiated direct airlift from Canada to Tobago for the first time in the island’s history, engaging leisure carrier Sunwing Airlines which was responsible for the majority of Canadian visitors to Tobago in 2019.
Canadian journalists enjoy a trek through the rainforest during a press trip hosted by TTAL from January 30 to February 3, 2020
Negotiating airlift was only the first step in ensuring growth from the Canadian market. In order to stimulate awareness and interest in Tobago, and to create a demand for travel, TTAL worked assiduously to promote destination Tobago in Canada and raise awareness about the available flight options to the destination.
In addition to growth from the Canada market in 2019, Germany stayover arrivals also increased by 12% and arrivals from the UK market saw an increase of 6.7%.
The Tobago Tourism Agency Limited is continuing to build upon the success illustrated in 2019, by ensuring that their strategic marketing efforts continue into 2020 and beyond, complemented by product development initiatives to enhance the on-island experience for visitors. Source: Tobago Tourist Board, Feb 2020