Postgraduate Forum: Mrs. Josephine Torrel-Brown

Postgraduate Forum: Mrs. Josephine Torrel-Brown

Aug 8, 2018 | Views:209068 |

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An Interrogation into the Feasibility of Cultural Tourism as an Option for Economic Diversification with a Focus on Intangible Culture in Trinidad And Tobago

Wednesday 8th August, 2018 - 5:00 P.M.
The Training Room
UTT John S. Donaldson, Port-of –Spain Campus

Trinidad and Tobago has a history of recessions and economic challenges. The recent decline in oil production and collapse of oil prices have resulted in negative impacts for Trinidad and Tobago, such as a severe reduction in government revenue and foreign exchange. This study contends that intangible cultural tourism in the form of events and festivals (what Trinidad and Tobago has in abundance) can be a significant option for economic diversification, with the intent of reducing the risks of “oil and gas dependency”. The goal of this study is to explore the relationship between intangible culture, tourism and economic development, in an attempt to fill gaps in research and government policy.

Pine and Gilmore’s Four Realms of an Experience model, according to the theory of the Experience Economy, forms the basis of this mixed method approach research which is organised in two phases. Firstly, the perspectives of visitors and potential visitors are captured through survey questionnaires, while the second phase is more qualitative in nature as it involves consultation with stakeholders in the arts and entertainment industry to brainstorm a way forward for developing intangible cultural tourism in Trinidad and Tobago.

Mrs. Josephine Torrel-Brown is an advocate for Arts and culture, as evidenced by her career and professional development choices. She possesses a Teacher’s Diploma, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Musical Arts and a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) degree in Cultural Studies from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and is currently reading for a doctorate in Cultural Studies at The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT). Her research and Master’s thesis entitled The Use of Indigenous Arts to Enhance Classroom Learning (2010) demonstrates her desire for finding practical methods to improve the academic success rate of students using the Arts as a vehicle. Mrs. Torrel-Brown is currently a Visual and Performing Arts Curriculum Officer after having been a Regional Coordinator and Project Coordinator of the Pan in the Classroom Unit with the Ministry of Education.

Her experience in culture extends to the arena of performing, events coordination, arts analysis and adjudication. This includes being the Chief Adjudicator for the International Soca Monarch Competition and adjudicating at national and regional competitions such as the Young Kings and Young Queens Calypso Competitions, National Music Festival, Parade of Bands and the Soca Monarch of Grenada.