TTHTI Returns: Rebuilding the Heart of Trinidad and Tobago’s Hospitality

The Trinidad and Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Institute (TTHTI) is reopening, and it could not come at a better time. After five years of silence following its closure in 2020, the announcement by Minister of Finance Davendranath Tancoo signals renewed investment in one of the country’s most essential industries.

Before it shut down, TTHTI trained thousands of professionals who powered the nation’s hotels, restaurants, and event spaces. Its absence left a gap that no private program managed to fill. Businesses felt it, and so did customers.

Now, with tourism numbers on the rise and local restaurants expanding again, the institute’s return can reshape the future of service and hospitality in Trinidad and Tobago. According to the Central Statistical Office, visitor arrivals for 2024 rose by more than 15 percent compared to 2022. That growth demands a trained workforce ready to deliver high standards of care and experience.

TTHTI’s reopening means more than classrooms and certificates. It means structured training, consistent quality, and national pride in service. It gives young people a clear, credible path into careers that fuel tourism and food service. It also strengthens partnerships between education and industry, helping businesses recruit talent that understands both professionalism and culture.

For Restaurant Week and the many restaurants we work with, this is positive news. Better-trained teams mean smoother service, happier guests, and stronger reviews. It also means the “Trini warmth” we are known for can now meet the global expectations of visitors seeking excellence in every interaction.

As the doors reopen, the hope is that TTHTI evolves with modern standards: sustainability, digital tools, and culinary innovation. The industry needs training that matches the demands of today’s market, and this is our opportunity to get it right.

TTHTI’s return isn’t only about reviving an institution. It’s about rebuilding confidence in the service economy, restoring a pipeline of skilled professionals, and reigniting national pride in hospitality.

Tell us what this reopening means to you or your business. The conversation around hospitality is open again, and it starts here.