The international youth tourism market is worth an estimated $136 million annually. Shouldn’t Trinidad and Tobago go after this market?

The Caribbean region and other tourism-dependent areas should increase their outreach to the “huge potential of the little-known youth travel market” to integrate young people into the tourism development process, and develop markets for their tourism product well into the future.

This call came from development expert Lelei LeLaulu, co-chairman of the Innovation for Sustainable Development Center’ as he spoke to reporters on the eve of the World Youth and Student Travel Conference.

LeLaulu said the youth tourism market “is worth an estimated US$136 billion a year or around 18% of worldwide international tourism receipts.” Tapping into this market, as well as integrating young people into the tourism development process, was critical, he added.

“The youth and student traveller today is your repeat visitor of tomorrow,” said LeLaulu, who pointed out that the youth segment was “the strongest sector of travel industry and no companies collapsed during a year when banks, airlines and major firms struggled or failed.”

LeLaulu, a featured speaker at the World Youth and Student Travel Conference in Manchester this week as well as the upcoming 18th Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx) in St. Lucia in December, said that youth tourism represents the fastest growing sector of the travel industry. “Contrary to popular opinion, young travelers stay longer and they spend their money with locally-owned businesses and communities which reduces tourism leakages,” said LeLaulu, who added that the lion’s share of young travelers shape their world view along their travels, contributing to peace and international understanding.

CMEx youth delegate Sarah Munn, a 16-year-old student from St. Lucia and youth traveller who wants young people to be fully integrated into the sector, believes that efforts to involve young people in the tourism industry is an excellent way to add truth to the often used statement ‘Children are the future.’ “Young people need to be constantly aware of what we can do to help tourism flourish. “We will be future job-holders who will help fuel tourism forward. “Whether we become fishermen, store owners or hoteliers, we will have a positive impact on tourism. “We can all contribute, and we should, because the entire community, country and region will benefit,” she added.

Munn along with several young people from across the Caribbean and other regions, will converge on St. Lucia from December 3 to 7 for CMEx along with reporters, editors, and development specialists to explore tourism resilience as well as the theme “Multicultural Marketing: A Climate for Change.”

Delegates can expect provocative presentations and lively discussion on how tourism can improve the health, wealth, education, environment and culture of destinations in a “climate-friendly fashion” as they examine how to “climate proof” Caribbean tourism as well as build resilience into the industry in a recessionary environment.

Well, just talking: now, under new Tourism Minister Joseph Ross, the Tourism and Development Company Ltd, is trying to get the concept going.

The hotels are the Hilton Trinidad, Paria Suites, Courtyard by Marriot, Kapok, Chaconia, Asa Wright, Cascadia, Alicia’s House, Coblentz Inn and Carnetta’s Inn.

Some of rates seem a bit pricey, given that Easter is the international low season. Maybe, world class service is thrown in. Who knows?

However, some hotels offer family discounts, length of stay discounts and so on.

Not one offers sun, sea and sand and a Carib will cost, at least, $22.