Key public and private tourism stakeholders from across Trinidad and Tobago and the region gathered at the Magdalena Grand on Thursday for the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association’s inaugural tourism forum.
Titled “Tourism—The Fuel for the Future,” the forum charts the way forward in diversifying and strengthening the island’s tourism sector.
According to President of the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association Reginald Maclean, the Association’s first tourism forum was held as a matter of necessity.
“Tourism is more than just rooms on an island. Tourism will become the engine that powers Tobago’s economy, supports thousands of jobs, inspires entrepreneurship, and keeps the culture of our island alive. Like any engine, tourism requires fuel and that fuel comes to us in many ways from clear policy, from clear investment, from marketing, and through partnership.”
Secretary of Tourism Tashia Burris congratulated the THTA on the venture, adding there needs to be a commitment to action.
“Your foresight in convening this vital conference at such a pivotal moment demonstrates leadership that goes beyond business. By bringing together regional experts, you ensure that solutions are informed, bold, and coordinated. You remind us that the fires of creativity, innovation, and resilience are not extinguished by hardship but are fuelled by it.”
Chief Secretary Farley Augustine stressed Tobago’s ability to diversify the country’s economy, and so he outlined what is necessary to make this possible.
“That 10% room tax that we have must be returned to the sector to help the sector. The purpose of that tax is to go back into the sector. It is not to be used to fund other things. Secondly, we have to invest more on allocation for TTAL – $42 million in 2025 really and truly cannot drive the sector. Thirdly, we have to revisit the arrangements with Town and Country Planning, and I am happy to say that having had the conversation with the new Minister of Planning, the Prime Minister and the new government we have strong signals that Town and Country Planning will be returned to Tobago before the end of this calendar year.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade pledged a commitment to supporting the THA and Tobago’s tourism stakeholders. Acting Permanent Secretary Michelle Ann Thomas said the Ministry has a series of programmes to roll out in this regard.
“Our destination must continue to execute its mandate through a multi-pronged strategy focused on accessibility, destination development, targeted marketing, up-to-date technology, and an all-inclusive stakeholder support strategy.”
Thursday’s forum explored investment opportunities, global tourism recovery strategies, and the use of digitisation in boosting tourism.