About two weeks after Tobago unveiled its $17 million investment to its cruise industry, its sister island, Trinidad, is slated to officially open the Hyatt Regency Trinidad on January 4.

The Tobago House of Assembly announced two weeks ago the grand opening of the Scarborough Jetty in Tobago. The $17 million Scarborough Jetty expansion project will facilitate larger cruise ships and is designed to encourage more cruise lines to include Tobago on their itineraries. The Jetty can now accommodate cruise ships that hold up to 3,114 passengers and measure 320 meters long by nine and a half meters in depth.

Carnival and Royal Caribbean are both expected to make calls there in the 2008-2009 season. Travel Agent also learned that more cruise lines are expected to get onboard, although no further details have been released as of yet. Visit www.visittobago.gov.tt.

Meanwhile in Trinidad, the Hyatt Regency Trinidad is slated to become the destination’s first new full-service hotel since 1962. The $375 million complex will have 428 guest rooms, including a Presidential Suite on the 22nd floor, overlooking the water.

The property is geared primarily toward business clientele, with 43,000 square feet of meeting and function space, including a 16,000-square-foot Regency Ballroom, a 10,000-square-foot multipurpose exhibit room, 12 breakout rooms and two boardrooms. What separates this property from many other business-oriented hotels is that it also includes a 9,000-square-foot spa with six treatment suites. Visit www.trinidad.hyatt.com.