Secretary for Tourism and Transportation in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Tracy Davidson-Celestine told delegates attending Caribbean Tourism Week in New York that marketing Tobago independently from Trinidad is crucial to the island's successful delivery of products.
At a panel discussion during the Caribbean Diaspora Forum, one of the highlights of the conference hosted by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) at the Wyndham New Yorker Hotel in Manhattan, moderator Irwine G Clare asked Davidson-Celestine to explain why this approach was necessary since the funds for marketing initiatives came from T&T's national budget.
She explained: "T&T is two islands–one country but at the same time, two distinct offerings. Trinidad is more business oriented, Tobago has a leisure product. so you would find that most of the beaches and the warmth and friendliness of the people can be found on the island of Tobago.
"The Tourism Development Company (TDC) has the overall responsibility for marketing the destination of T&T. You also have the THA which has been given its authority via Act 40 of 1996, and so, the Division of Tourism and Transportation also has the responsibility and the mandate to market Tobago and to ensure the tourism product is developed.
"Tourism in Tobago is one of our major income earners on the island. We have been doing quite a number of different activities in terms of promoting the destination through our traditional markets, which are the UK and Europe, and we are also looking to move into other destinations such as Brazil. In January of 2015, we partnered with Barbados to have a new and direct flight coming to Tobago, so we are looking at new markets as well, and we have some of our representatives in countries like Latvia (and) China, looking to develop and forge relationships.
"And so, you find that though we collaborate on many different marketing initiatives and a number of different projects, you will also find that Tobago tries to stand out, because of the uniqueness and the different culture and the different product that Tobago has."
Davidson-Celestine said the THA did a lot to attract investment from the diaspora to the island and noted, in particular, all the work done by the Tobago�Canada Association. She described the organisation as being very active and effective in North America.
She said efforts were also being made to project Tobago's capacity for commerce and investment.
"There are endless opportunities in Tobago at this time.
"We have access to gas and oil and then our proximity to markets in Latin and South America also makes Tobago a pristine place for investment. It is now for the diaspora to come back to Tobago and invest as much as possible."