An Integrated Path Towards a Resilient Tourism Sector in North-East Tobago

Abstract

North-East Tobago is a rural, underdeveloped and marginalized section on the island of Tobago. The area is socially and economically vulnerable to external shocks that can impede on the development of the community-based tourism sector. The small communities are strongly dependent on unemployment relief programmes, governmental employment, and unsustainably managed tourism and fisheries. At the same time, its cultural heritage and natural resources are regionally outstanding which is substantiated by the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve designation for the entire area in October 2020. This designation was attributed to regionally outstanding and representative natural and cultural heritage. Stakeholders now agree that a participatory management approach and facilitating the development of sustainable blue and green economies are the most appropriate answers to NE Tobago’s challenges. This approach will further result in positive, island wide spill-over effects, providing the necessary safety nets bridging tourism fluctuations. This chapter summarizes the path taken by North-East Tobago between 2015 and 2020 towards the sustainable management of its natural and cultural resources aimed at supporting cross-sectoral resilience to external shocks, while focussing on a responsible tourism approach with well-planned strategies to improve branding, marketing, competitiveness and diversification. More specifically, the Chapter will provide a reflection on the action-based research approach utilized while discussing the role of key stakeholders and their level of participation, the level of institutional hindrances, the legal framework, and the lessons learnt. Strategic recommendations are put forward for the sustainable management of this nationally unprecedented transition from post-colonial natural resource management and economic development approach to a participatory, transparent, accountable co-management model.