News
Unlocking Tobago’s path to Community-based Blue Tourism
June 2025
The Blue Tourism Initiative, in collaboration with its partner Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI), is proud to announce the launch of its pilot projects in Tobago.
Tobago is poised to unlock its full potential in community-based coastal and marine tourism, thanks to a pilot diagnosis study led by CANARI within the framework of the Blue Tourism Initiative. The report underscored the island’s unique strengths, including the highly successful Castara community tourism model, and provided an action plan to enhance local capacity, education, and infrastructure.
Tobago
Project Title: Develop and promote sustainable tourism with civil society and private sector stakeholders
Duration: April 2025 – January 2026
Tobago’s rich marine biodiversity and vibrant cultural heritage represent key assets that can fuel a thriving, sustainable tourism industry. However, it also faces critical challenges, such as gaps in community capacity, underdeveloped infrastructure, and skill shortages in marine-related industries. These challenges are compounded by external economic and environmental threats that require urgent attention. In response, our partner in the Caribbean, CANARI, in collaboration with local partners, is committed to implementing a series of strategic initiatives to protect Tobago’s stunning marine ecosystems while simultaneously building local skills and empowering communities. The focus is on promoting environmental stewardship, developing eco-tourism activities, and creating inclusive, community-driven solutions that contribute to sustainable growth for the island’s tourism sector.
Project Objectives
- Preserve and Manage Heritage: Enhance the governance and management of the island’s natural and cultural assets.
- Boost Sustainable Tourism through Cooperatives: Develop a vision for ecotourism that fosters local livelihoods and socio-economic opportunities facilitative the creation of SMEs cooperatives.
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Key Activities
- Ecosystem stewardship and restoration initiatives in Buccoo, Charlotville, Speyside, Lambeau.
- Environmental monitoring and data collection capacity building in Buccoo, Charlotville, Speyside, Lambeau.
- Blue tourism product development workshops (island-wide) offering training on service excellence, sustainable practices, and creating immersive, educational experiences for tourists.
- Sustainable Tourism Cooperatives in Delaford, Glamorgan, Lambeau: facilitating the creation of cooperatives to bring together small-scale tourism operators, fisherfolk, and environmental advocates, and providing technical assistance and funding to help these cooperatives develop tourism products like eco-tours, sustainable fisheries, or marine-based crafts.
Expected Results
- Enhance stewardship of local stakeholders and improve restoration of key natural ecosystems.
- Improve Local Skills: Empower local communities with the skills to develop sustainable tourism initiatives.
- Clear Development Pathways: Develop a Cooperative cluster for improved governance and tourism in the region.
Impact
Through this initiative, Tobago has a unique opportunity to grow community-based coastal and marine tourism initiatives while preserving its exceptional natural and cultural heritage. Through collaboration between CANARI, local partners, and communities, Tobago can chart a sustainable future that sets a model for the wider Caribbean.