A critical assessment of Trinidad and Tobago as a cruise homeport: doorway to the South American cruise market?

The Caribbean is the number one cruise region in the world, and given the cruise industry's continued growth, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago (GOTT) has earmarked cruise tourism as a niche market to be developed. Reports indicate that there is an increased interest in the South American market by the cruise ship industry, which presents an ideal opportunity for Trinidad and Tobago, given its geographical location, to be considered a cruise hub in the southern Caribbean. This article analyses the potential of Trinidad and Tobago as a cruise homeport and seeks to determine if it can be a gateway to the South American cruise market. Using specific criteria for homeports as identified from existing cruise research, respondents were asked to rate the port in Port of Spain, Trinidad, as a potential homeport. Research findings indicate that, at present, the destination is not prepared to be a homeport given its inadequate facilities and infrastructure. Respondents' recommendations included the need to develop basic infrastructural facilities to accommodate mega cruise ships, greater incentives to cruise companies in order to start homeport operations as well as the development of a National Cruise Tourism Policy.