On paper, Tobago looks good

This is the second installment of what is at stake in Tobago tourism.

In our last article, we indicated that the promotion of tourism in Tobago must revolve around the development of visitor sites and attractions which have been demonstrated to be the heart of all successful tourism business. This article completes an examination of beaches and also reviews some parks and protected areas. Castara Bay is a developed facility that includes toilet facilities where an attendant collects a $1 fee. A concessionaire runs a small food outlet. The facility is reasonably well kept and the popular beach is shared by local villagers and tourists who stay in the area and local near shore fishermen. A large building on the site contains a bar, creole restaurant and table games.

An added attraction is the traditional Tobago mud oven bread baking facility which is separately fenced and whose products are very popular. Englishman’s Bay does not have paved access presumably because the foreshore is privately owned and is being considered for acquisition by the Tobago House of Assembly. Structures include Eula’s Caf? and craft shop and two other craft shops, posing the question of the management of small business operations on the beach front. The beach is well used and the parking area is inadequate. Speyside – Tyrrels Bay is a public beach facility with a concessionaire providing food but the famous Gemma’s Tree House Restaurant is the popular eating place and an attraction in itself. The pier is used by foreign divers to prepare for their expeditions off shore.

The beach is shared with fishing and tour boats in a harmonious manner and the bay is the main point for visiting Little Tobago and St Giles islands. King’s Bay has a small, very well kept beach facility which is served by life guards. The access is excellent, the parking area adequate and the picnic cubicles are in good condition. Although a dark sand beach, generally several tourists use the natural resource. Canoe Bay is a small bay in the extreme south east of the island with private hotel property on the foreshore. The main access is through a relatively long, unpaved, potholed road and a fee is charged for using the facility since access is through the private Canoe Bay Hotel property.