Gasparee Caves refurbished and ready for visitors

Unveiling of Plaque: Judith Mark, General Manager of the CDA; Minister of Planning, Housing and the Environment Emily Dick-Forde and Minister of Tourism Joseph Ross. Photo GIS

The upgrade of Gasparee Caves consisted of the construction of a Caretaker Cottage, repair of cave stairs, installation of interpretative signage, and erection of a modern Visitor Quarters, outdoor picnic area, and installation of a salt water system, repair of the concrete footpath and general improvement of security at the site.

An address by Minister of Tourism Joseph Ross, at the Official Commissiong of Gasparee Caves, Chaguaramas on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 11am. 

 Senator the Honourable Dr. Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde, Minister of Planning, Housing and the Environment
 The Honourable Tina Grolund-Nunez, Minister of State in the Ministry of Planning,  Housing and the Environment
 Mrs. Melba Dedier, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism
 Ms. Judith Mark, General Manager of the Chaguaramas Development Authority
 Mr. Ernest Littles, President of the Tourism Development Company
 Representatives of the various tourism associations
 Members of the Media

Good Morning, ladies and gentlemen.

It is indeed my pleasure to join with my Ministerial colleague, Senator the Honourable Emily Gaynor Dick-Forde, to officially commission the opening of the newly refurbished Gasparee Caves in Chaguaramas.
This is an important day for all the players in the tourism industry as we now have an enhanced tourist attraction that will positively impact upon our perception as a premier tourism destination.

The upgrade of Gasparee Caves consisted of the construction of a Caretaker Cottage, repair of cave stairs, installation of interpretative signage, and erection of a modern Visitor Quarters, outdoor picnic area, and installation of a salt water system, repair of the concrete footpath and general improvement of security at the site.

All of these visitor amenities will enhance the overall attraction of the Chaguaramas area and its many tourism features which are widely appreciated and enjoyed.

Over 2,000 persons on an average annually have visited Gasparee Caves and gazed at the amazing tableaux of stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and deep pools that have been created over many millennia through the interaction of water and stone.
The caves are truly an awesome wonder of nature. Excellent tour guides are available to give visitors the necessary historical information.

It is anticipated that Gasparee Caves will grow into a major regional natural attraction matching the appeal of the Harrison Caves in Barbados. We are confident that Gasparee Caves will attract new and more tourists to the Chaguaramas National Park. 

The Chaguaramas area has quite an impressive history. Because of its location, it housed colonial forts for the Spanish and the British. During World War II, Chaguaramas was home to the United States Navy. It was also the site of the signing of the historic 1972 Treaty of Chaguaramas which created the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM).

In many ways the Chaguaramas National Park, and its potential from a tourism perspective, can be considered as something of a hidden wonder. 
The area has an abundance of attractions, nature trails and leisure activities to suit all tastes encapsulated within a warm and hospitable community. It is ideal for the eco-tourist and adventurer.

I commend the initiative and spirit of the Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) in seeking to offer a high quality visitor attraction. Gasparee Caves can be considered amongst our best natural attractions, and certainly unique, so it is now appropriate that they are developed as an integral part of the total visitor experience in addition to their absolutely breathtaking stone formations.

The quality of tourist attractions in a tourism destination is pivotal to the international traveller’s decision to visit any particular destination. In this regard Government is aiming to identify and supply more innovative attractions and tourism products, places to see, things to do, that are unique to Trinidad and Tobago in order to ensure our competitive marketing edge.
We are continuously working to identify, develop and market the requirements for the total “Trinbago” holiday experience, which would be special for each visitor, from the moment they make their decision to come to our twin island Republic to their return home.

I want to focus for a brief moment on one aspect of our way of life that is a definite deterrent to our tourism development – our tendency to litter. Littering is one of the major drawbacks to the tourist potential of the Chaguaramas National Park and indeed of Trinidad and Tobago.

Unsightly litter has become a regular characteristic on our streets, rivers and beaches. Discarded packages, plastics, bottles, household wares and other rubbish strewn on our streets and clogging our waterways are unforgivable.

Scientific research shows that bad civic habits can be cured, or at least, ameliorated significantly. Drinking and driving, for example, is no longer socially acceptable.
It is time that littering is also not socially acceptable. Through the media present here today I wish to implore everyone to consider the damaging impact of littering on our environment.

We must develop, protect and preserve a clean and green image.

In conclusion I wish to thank the Chaguaramas Development Authority for the opportunity to partner with it to upgrade the Gasparee Caves tourist site. Facilities such as Gasparee Caves play an important role in meeting future challenges facing tourism in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Gasparee Caves tourist site is an excellent attraction. However its success must never be taken for granted. We are in vicious competition for a share in the global and Caribbean tourism market. The competition is tough and getting tougher, but I believe that this competition is good for us all.

All it means is that the site operators, employees and suppliers must have an ever-stronger drive towards supreme quality in all areas of service and offer value for money. That is the challenge we all must meet in the tourism field.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for inviting me to be part of this commissioning ceremony.