Introducing the greatest little island on the planet

Part of the southernmost nation in the Caribbean region, Tobago is a tropical paradise that is relatively undiscovered by tourists and investors when compared to Trinidad, its larger sister island.

It covers just 116 square miles and is inhabited by around 69,000 people. “We’re a small territory in every sense of the word, but we have big hearts, big creative minds, and a bold, audacious spirit,” proclaims Farley Chavez Augustine, chief secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), the island’s governing body that has substantial devolved autonomy from Trinidad and Tobago’s national authorities. Augustine’s administration has been in office for three years, during which time it has implemented an ambitious plan to foster smart and sustainable economic and social development that reflects the islanders’ audacious spirit. “We’re creating the greatest little island on the planet, that’s our ethos. We’re doing that in tandem with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” Augustine explains. Steps toward achieving this target include providing free high-quality education to all residents from nursery to secondary-school level, as well as subsidized tertiary studies. “We also have more health centers per capita and square mile than anywhere else, and community centers exist in almost every village,” he adds. 

Currently, Tobago is investing in transport infrastructure that will support economic growth and substantially improve accessibility for visitors and investors. Most notably, a new international airport will open in the first half of 2025. This will have three times the capacity of its previous facility, allowing it to handle a maximum 3 million people a year, plus three A330 and two 747 planes at any one time.  Augustine says: “We’re now working with airlines to increase direct flights. We want to get a lot of international flights landing in Tobago. In North America, for example, we have direct flights out of New York already, we’re adding Toronto and we want to add Miami soon. We’re also putting in infrastructure that will allow for better connectivity to and from the airport.”

A destination unlike others

Tourism is a central element of the island’s economy, contributing 13 percent of a gross domestic product that amounted to about $246 million in 2023, 1 percent up on the figure for 2022. Understandably attracted by the island’s lush rainforests, blue seas, sandy beaches and rich heritage, tourists arrive at either the airport that is 7 miles from the capital, Scarborough, or at one of two cruise ports. “If you dock at Charlotteville, it’s breathtaking. You’re landing in an untouched, unspoiled place with clean, clear waters and some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. You can also dock at Scarborough, an equally beautiful location and a very walkable city,” he states. 

“When you land, you’ll realize it’s a destination unlike any other. You may not find massive all-inclusive resorts, but you certainly will find small boutique hotels, eco-tourism establishments and home-stay apartment rentals. You can experience the simple joys of things like our Harvest Festivals, where a community will open its doors to strangers and you can enjoy a meal, drinks, fun and chat. That’s in essence who we are.”

THA is well aware that Tobago’s natural competitive advantage for economic development lies in tourism, thanks to its wealth of green, blue and orange assets. Indeed, the authority has invested heavily in developing the island’s talented artists, dramatists, songwriters, dancers and filmmakers. The successful results of that investment are best explored through a year-round calendar of vibrant cultural events, including the unmissable Tobago Carnival in October, or at Shaw Park Cultural Complex, which is the largest performing arts space in the Caribbean.  Given the upcoming influx of visitors that are expected to start arriving at the new airport, tourism is an area with huge potential for international investors and the island’s diaspora. “We’re pushing for hotel development. The only caveat is we want developments that are green. One of my administration’s core principles is that we’re insistent on doing our part in ensuring we keep the island as environmentally sound as possible,” Augustine declares.

While tourism will remain vital to the island’s economy, THA’s efforts toward diversification are opening up many other sectors for investments. One illustration is agribusiness. Currently generating around 2 percent of GDP, the government wants to raise this to 5 percent within three years. “We have a plethora of wonderful and cheap organically grown agro-processed goods that the U.S. could tap into. Examples include gluten-free flours made from products such as dasheen, cassava and superfoods like breadfruit,” he reveals. 

Among other areas with potential that the chief secretary highlights are innovative digital technologies. As it strives to become a smart island, Tobago is particularly interested in exploring how technologies such as artificial intelligence can improve its systems for education, security, medical diagnostics and tourism. However, Augustine says: “We don’t want to replace the human touch with a digital one. It’s about integrating the latest technologies into our outputs, while not losing the warm touch that makes Tobago special.”  The island provides plenty of incentives to incoming investors, including a skilled and highly literate workforce, trade agreements that open up a market of nearly 1 billion customers and, as a result of the country’s hydrocarbon resources, very low energy costs. In addition, “If your investment lies within a designated area, such as Cove Eco-Industrial Park, you get tax rebates. You also benefit from doing business with a government that is the largest landowner on the island. Our strategic location outside of the hurricane belt with close proximity to South and Central American territories is critical too, as is our focus on sustainability,” he details. A further draw for businesses setting up in Tobago is the incredible work-life balance it presents. “It’s safe and there’s a strong sense of community. You come to Tobago and, within a week, everyone will know your name and look out for you,” Augustine reveals.

Quality of life has also put the island on the radar of digital nomads, who are taking advantage of the fact that travelers from most parts of the world require no visa and can stay for up to 90 days without restrictions. “We have excellent internet connectivity all over the island, even if you are staying in a rural log cabin or a remote sandy bay, and we’re preparing to launch a second independent submarine cable. Working here, the biggest distraction might be birds chirping, as Tobago counts among the places most populated by birds,” he comments. “Another excellent thing about coming to Tobago is you have two islands for the price of one, because flights and ferries to Trinidad are cheap and quick if you want to experience the bustle of a big city while you are here.” Whether you are a tourist, investor or new resident, Tobago will introduce you to a way of life that has been lost elsewhere. Augustine explains: “Tobago reminds you that simple things are important, that human connectivity is important. If you want to get regrounded with nature, with people and with yourself, this is the place. We warmly welcome you to the greatest island on the planet, where Tobago is beyond ordinary.”