Tobago stakeholders budget wish-list: Open airport building, boost tourism

TOBAGO STAKEHOLDERS say they are eager to hear about the government’s plans for developing the island in the upcoming budget.

The government has not yet announced a date for the 2025-2026 fiscal package.

Contacted by Newsday on October 4, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo declined to reveal any of the proposed plans for Tobago in the presentation.

In its budget presentation on June 23, the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) requested from central government an allocation of $3.71 billion to manage the island’s affairs over the next in fiscal 2025-2026.

It was less than the THA asked for under the previous PNM administration. In fiscal 2024-2025, the THA requested $3.956 billion from the PNM government, but received $2.599 billion.

Finance Secretary Petal-Ann Roberts said in June the total estimates of expenditure for fiscal 2025-2026 were predicated on a projected national budget of $63.5 billion.

Hotel association: Focus on US tourists

The Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association (THTA) is hoping to hear strategies to boost the island’s tourism sector, still rebounding from the effects of the covid19 pandemic which crippled the sector in 2020 and the ensuing years.

The association's first vice-president Rene Seepersadsingh told Newsday, “The type of funding that is required has already been significantly reduced because we are all aware that funds are tight. Stakeholders would have accepted that and adjusted their funding requests to suit.

“So we are hoping that if that is the case that we would get the required funding so that we could promote the destination and do whatever other development we need.”

He said the association is hoping for a plan to increase airlift between Trinidad and Tobago via state-owned Caribbean Airlines.

“We would also like to hear an update as to what is happening with Caribbean Airlines and the airbridge because that still continues to be a problem for the domestic and international travellers.

“There is a reasonable amount if airlift coming to Trinidad from North America but there is a challenge for people that are travelling on airlines that are not Caribbean Airlines, being able to come and access the destination. Where you see other destinations like Barbados are seeing growth in North American travel, Tobago is not benefiting from that. In fact, we are also seeing a decline in our European numbers.”

Seepersadsingh, a director of the popular Jade Monkey Casino Bar & Grill, claimed there is not much happening in tourism by way of new initiatives.

“We have had the commitment of having the re-establishment of the airlift committee, standing committee on tourism but none of those things have actually happened.”

With the change in government in April, he said, there also has been a request from the private sector to look at having representatives on certain state agencies so that tourism is represented.

“Nothing has materialised either. So we are hoping these things will get addressed by the time the budget comes around. It could be that the government is doing their planning, which we understand.

“But we think sufficient time has now lapsed so we are hoping to hear some news as to what is going to happen so that some plans could be rolled out because we are very close already to the winter season and, in some cases, we are already a bit late in rolling out any initiatives.”

Seepersadsingh said the organisation is also hoping to hear something definitive with respect to the commissioning of the multi-million dollar ANR Robinson International Airport terminal building.

Chamber: Amend Foreign Investment Act

The Tobago Chamber of Industry & Commerce also believes the focus should be strategies to enhance the tourism sector.

The chamber, led by Curtis Williams, believes the new terminal building at ANR Robinson airport, once opened and fully operational, should be promoted as a sustainable, green hub to strengthen Tobago’s destination branding and competitiveness.

Like the THTA, it also hoping to hear an announcement of strategies to enhance airbridge connectivity by increasing the number and scheduling of flights, especially during peak periods.

On the investment side, the chamber renewed its call for an amendment to the Foreign Investment Act to include a 30-day guarantee for the issuing of land licences.

The amendment also should allow for automatic transferability of licences, giving the THA the authority to issue licences, it said.

The chamber believes this will reduce bureaucracy and attract investors.

The organisation also wants the government to consider allowing resorts with a real estate component to qualify for development licences.

It said the ten per cent room tax from the Consolidated Fund should be redirected to tourism development, covering marketing, training and service quality upgrades.

Morris: Deal with water crisis

Minority Leader Kelvon Morris expects the government to prioritise those critical projects in Tobago that have already received central government funding but remain either incomplete or non-operational.

He told Newsday, “A prime example is the ANR Robinson International airport, which was built under the PNM but to date this administration has failed to provide a definitive timeline for its opening.

“I expect that the budget will allocate the appropriate resources and most importantly, set a clear and binding date for when the airport will be fully operational and open for public use.”

The Darrel Spring/Whim assemblyman said projects that are fundamental to Tobago’s development and quality of life, such as the Goldsborough Water Treatment Plant and the proposed desalination facility for east Tobago, also must be prioritised.

“These investments are critical in addressing Tobago’s ongoing water crisis and the people of Tobago deserve decisive action and sustainable strategies to mitigate these longstanding challenges.”

He said the budget must reflect the island’s ongoing tourism thrust.

“It should treat with how we fund tourism in a way that allows Tobago to take its rightful place as the jewel of the Caribbean’s diverse vacation experience.

“This will help boost foreign exchange earnings while also strengthening complementary sectors like agriculture. With proper incentives for land ownership and food production, Tobago can play a major role in reducing the national food import bill and advancing food security.”

Morris said the budget must demonstrate a clear commitment to unlocking Tobago’s potential and positioning Tobago side by side with Trinidad as an equal partner in driving national development and supporting the country’s economic recovery.

IDA: Trajectory of transformation

The Innovative Democratic Alliance (IDA) anticipates that Tobagonians may face some challenges down the road.

“The Prime Minister has already indicated it will be a deficit budget and the signs point toward further austerity measures,” the party said via WhatsApp on October 3.

“What is most disappointing, however, is that even in this climate, the Augustine administration in Tobago has chosen to reduce the allocation for our island at a time when Tobagonians need relief and opportunity most. It will be very telling to see whether the central government now approves those cuts.”

Speaking in a national context, though, the IDA said austerity cannot be our only response to the challenges confronting the country.

“If Trinidad and Tobago is to avoid sliding into the arms of the IMF (International Monetary Fund), then both the national government and the Tobago House of Assembly must act with courage.”

It argued, “We need to put the economy on a true trajectory of transformation. That means structural changes to create real space for the private sector, constitutional changes to empower communities and regions to chart their own economic fortunes, moving decisively beyond oil and gas, which has proven too volatile to sustain our growth.”

The party said this is not a time for empty promises.

“Tobago cannot afford to remain in beggar status hoping for trickle down. The country is in a do or die situation. We must summon the collective courage, from captain to cook, to transform our economy, diversify our industries and create an environment where people can work, innovate and thrive. That is the path that will move us beyond austerity and into a future of resilience and prosperity.”

Duke: Prioritise adequate wages, job creation

Progressive Democratic Patriots political leader Watson Duke said his party does not want a budget “filled with lots of fancy speeches and sound bites” but one that “speaks directly to all the people of our beloved Tobago and Trinidad.”

The budget, he said, must end hunger in Tobago, create jobs, ensure fair and adequate wages for every worker, tackle crime and criminality head on and lower the cost of food, education and the overall cost of living.

“I pray that the Chief Secretary will use whatever money is allocated to achieve these things, not for personal gain or political games but for the good of every Tobagonian. The PDP calls for a budget that builds a better country, a Tobago where every citizen can live with dignity, security and hope.”