TTBS>TTTIC

TTTIC CONSULTATION IN GRENADA

Grenada like most islands of the Caribbean relies on tourism as the main stay of its economy.

RELAUNCH OF TTTIC

The Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards in collaboration with the Tourism Development Company Limited will be hosting the Re-launch of the Trinidad and Tobago Tourism Industry Certification Programme (TTTIC) on Wednesday 3rd October 2007 at the Premier Quality Services Limited (P.Q.S.L.) Auditorium, Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards (TTBS) at 10:00 a.m.

TTTIC is the first programme of its kind in the Caribbean region, and is aimed at raising the quality of our tourism product through standards and certification. It is envisaged that the TTTIC programme will encompass all segments of the tourism industry and allow visitors to choose the products and services of certified tourism operators.

It is anticipated that the TTTIC Re-launch will bring the necessary recognition to the programme by industry practitioners. It is the national quality assurance tool for the tourism industry, strengthening our tourism product by ensuring that TTTIC certified operators provide a high quality service while at the same time instilling a sense of confidence in the visitor.

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO TOURISM INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION (TTTIC) - ENHANCING THE TOURISM INDUSTRY COMPETITIVENESS THROUGH STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION

Mr Deryck Omar - Executive Director,

Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards,
Ms Carol Alfred - Administrator, Tobago House of Assembly, Dr James Hepple - President, Tourism Development Company Limited, Dr Heather Okuns - Vice-President, Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards

The Trinidad and Tobago Tourism Industry Certification Programme (TTTIC) (pronounced
t-tick) is the process by which an independent body gives written assurance that tourism operators conform to specified requirements which are contained in the National Standard. These requirements focus on meeting legal obligations, reviewing the systems of operation, as well as establishing responsibilities of the practitioners.

Targeting tour guides, tour operators and motor vehicle rental operations TTTIC can be used as a national quality assurance tool for the tourism industry, strengthening our tourism product by ensuring that TTTIC certified operators provide a high quality service while at the same time

instilling a sense of confidence in the visitor.

TTTIC is the first programme of its kind in the Caribbean region, and is aimed at raising the quality of our tourism product through standards and certification. This programme is a joint initiative between the administrators of tourism that is, the Tourism Development Company (TDC), the Department of Tourism, Tobago House of Assembly (THA) and the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards. It is envisaged that the TTTIC programme will encompass all sectors and operators within the tourism industry irrespective of size and scope, and will allow visitors to choose the products and services of certified tourism operators.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are often seen as the engine of economic growth and employment creation in the Caribbean. SMEs often do not have the human resource and financial capital as well as the time to grow and enhance their operations and service quality. The tourism sector consists primarily of SMEs and as a result efforts must be made to ensure that enhanced competitiveness and quality are instilled and maintained.

The TTTIC Programme is voluntary. As a result, we believe that successfully certified persons should be encouraged and recognized for their efforts. TTTIC is an ideal mechanism by which tourism operators can gain:

access to subsidized training and resource materials.
enhanced credibility through the use of a well established logo which can aid in regional and international market penetration and development.
advertisements in TTTIC certified operator brochure listings, which will be distributed at tourist information offices.
access to identification badges and decals.

On Wednesday 3rd October 2007, the TDC in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards re-launched the TTTIC Programme at the Premier Quality Services Limited (PQSL) Auditorium in Macoya. We anticipate that this re-launch will bring the necessary recognition to the programme by industry practitioners as well as regional organizations which offer standards and quality control within the tourism industry.