Minister Michelle Benjamin: Full House For Carnival 2026
Minister of Culture and Community Development, Michelle Benjamin, has declared Carnival 2026 as a “full house” noting that hotels in and around Port of Spain have been fully booked.
Speaking at a Media Briefing at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Fantastic Friday morning, she argued that the nation is witnessing one of its strongest Carnival seasons in recent memory, crediting strategic planning by the NCC, the Ministry, and the Government.
« We have a full house. What Epic Carnival cruise ship liner provides is more room. Because as I stated when I did the press conference two weeks ago, that all rooms are full in Trinidad and Tobago. Now this is a copy of the Business Guardian reporting just that. That all hotel rooms throughout Port of Spain is full to capacity. »
The Minister pointed to over 300,000 people visiting the Flava Village at the Queen’s Park Savannah so far, with the anticipated biggest turnout on Friday night, with Soca artiste Machel Montano expected to perform at the village sometime after 8pm.
« We are over 300,000 persons would have visited this savannah space and that again was pure planning and innovation both by the Ministry and NCC. we are over 300 ,000 persons would have visited this savannah space and that again was pure planning and innovation both by the Ministry and NCC visitors, citizens, you are all welcome coming together safely and joyfully every night on this savannah space. Visitors, citizens, you are all welcome coming together safely and joyfully every night on this savannah space. »
The Minister also emphasised enhanced safety measures, noting multi-agency coordination with Government already spending upwards of $3 million in security for the season.
