Tourism key to develop Tobago's economy

THE EDITOR: In developing Tobago's economy, they ought to err on the side of safety by reinforcing their forte. An expansion of the tourism cluster is the key.

It is a preselect rendezvous for weddings, health and wellness, lower-end and luxury tourism. However, it stands as a prospect (currently highly underutilised) as a filming and festivity locale. Over 50 years ago, the film adaptation of the book Swiss Family Robinson was filmed there for it was considered as an idyllic paradise.

It is perfect as a tech start-up destination, a haven for remote workers, where venture capitalists and other financiers can be wooed to invest in fledgling enterprises. Unfortunately, persistent, perennial, looming issues of consistent, available airlift and elevating quality of services remain. In that dismal mix is an imported crime problem.

Mostly forgotten is the not so evident drawback of geographic location. The sister island is at the end of the Caribbean archipelago. This situation of furthest proximity to other islands has the consequence of some cruise ships and tourists via airlifts not visiting the isle.

Penultimately, infrastructural works at the Scarborough port need to be addressed, notwithstanding needed slight improvements at the airport too. Agriculture and manufacturing sectors have been overlooked, if not neglected, for far too long as the potential is there. The land, labour and materials exist for utilisation.

Encompassing all clusters that exist, Tobagos's economy can be successfully diversified and be fruitful. Efficaciously being self-reliant, the sister isle can full its coffers with revenues from its own devised systems and ingenuity, therefore not ever needing Trinidad.

CHE AMOROSO

St James