Tobago Economy
From The Report: Trinidad & Tobago 2017
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The new administration of Tobago takes office at a time of both opportunity and challenge. Tobago is one of the most beautiful, unspoiled islands in the Caribbean, which is a highly attractive proposition in today’s competitive tourism environment. Tobago is ready for take-off, with the island at a critical point in its economic development. After years of abundance, largely based on a share of the oil and gas revenues generated by Trinidad and Tobago, the island is now facing a fiscal squeeze. Tobago’s GDP slumped sharply in 2016, while its tourism sector has been underperforming for some time. However, these difficulties also present a major opportunity for growth.

This chapter contains an interview with Kelvin Charles, Chief Secretary, Tobago House of Assembly.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Poised for take-off: Development plans emphasise the need to transform and diversify the economy
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The new administration of Tobago takes office at a time of both opportunity and challenge. Tobago is one of the most beautiful, unspoiled islands in the Caribbean, which is a highly attractive proposition in today’s competitive tourism environment. Tobago is ready for take-off, with the island at a critical point in its economic development. After years of abundance, largely based on a share of the oil and gas revenues generated by the republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the island is now…

Interview

On the map: Kelvin Charles, Chief Secretary, Tobago House of Assembly (THA), on self-determination and the potential of the tourism sector
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What measures are being taken to enhance Tobago’s value proposition as a tourism destination? CHARLES: The executive council has already approved the new Tobago Tourism Agency, which is now being set up to manage all aspects of tourism events, marketing and our strategic direction. This process has been supported through upgrades of major tourism sites and attractions, heritage trails and the monetisation of Fort King George in Scarborough. The move to realign the tourism division portfolio…

Analysis

High priority: Tourism sector set to benefit from major investment
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With its beautiful beaches, biodiverse tropical forests and wide range of leisure activities, there is undoubtedly major potential for the further development of tourism in Tobago, which remains relatively unchanged by the industry. However, the recent performance of the sector has been disappointing. In late 2016 Wendell Mottley, former minister of finance and chairman of the Energy Task Force, said that Tobago was out of step with what was going on in the rest of the Caribbean, where the…

Analysis

Better connections: Improving transport links is vital for the development of the local economy
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For an island economy, air and sea transport links are critically important. There is lively debate about the current state of Tobago’s transport links and the need to upgrade in the future. One of its main connections is the regular air bridge service of shuttle flights between Trinidad’s Piarco Airport and ANR Robinson International Airport (ANRRIA) in Tobago, operated by state-owned carrier Caribbean Airlines (CAL). While the air bridge offers a cheap and easy service for people travelling…

Analysis

Go local: Agro-processing holds substantial potential for development
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Along with tourism, agro-processing is another area that holds significant potential for the diversification of Tobago’s economy. According to stakeholders there are three developments that will help to realise this potential of the industry. The first includes a revival of the island’s traditional agriculture and livestock production. Farm output in Tobago has seen a long-term pattern of decline in recent decades, which is associated with the boom in oil and gas production. It is hoped…