The Tobago House of Assembly aims to attract more eco-conscious and culturally aware visitors to the island through the expansion of community tourism.
The initiative was outlined during the THA’s 2026/2027 budget presentation on Monday.
THA Secretary of Finance, Trade and the Economy, Petal-Ann Roberts, announced a $105.2 million investment aimed primarily at building a sustainable community tourism product.
“This sustainable, certified approach will naturally attract eco-conscious and culturally aware travellers, promoting long-term economic stability.”
She later explained why they are focused on community tourism.
“If we concentrate on community tourism, the THA will have less of a burden in terms of the offerings.”
THA’s Chief Secretary, Farley Augustine, says while the THA continues to welcome foreign direct investment, including plans to develop 500 four- and five-star hotel rooms by 2030, the priority is ensuring tourism revenue stays within Tobago.
“Otherwise, what will happen is that we would only have big, large, fancy, and the result of the spend there will mean far less circulation and distribution of wealth within the community.”
Meanwhile, he revealed that the island is close to securing new direct international flights through Caribbean Airlines.
“The negotiations and more than negotiations where we are at is direct flights coming from Toronto to Tobago, so that should be onboarded soon. We are also looking at Ogle in Guyana to Tobago. We are also looking at Miami direct to Tobago.”
Mr Augustine added that discussions are continuing with other airlines to expand direct airlift from North America.
Meanwhile, responding to concerns about the extended State of Emergency, he suggested the tourism industry’s challenges are rooted elsewhere.
“I don’t know that the State of Emergency has done damage to our product in the way our unpreparedness has done when it comes to our product, to be honest.”
He pointed to ongoing issues with customer service and the quality of accommodation as key concerns.
He said the THA continues to offer training in customer service, pointing out that previous initiatives to upgrade room stock have not delivered the expected results.
“If we count the amount spent in grants and then we compare that with the quality of rooms we do have now, then we have to pivot and admit that that strategy did not work in so far as improving the quality of the room stock.”
The THA’s tourism agenda also includes the development of tourism sites, expansion of hiking and nature trails, upgrades to facilities, and a target of increasing Green Key and Blue Flag certifications by 25%.