Tobago tourism focuses on sustainability with coastal management exercise

Posted Aug 28, 2020

In its continued focus on sustainable tourism development, the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited (TTAL) collaborated with the Environmental Research Institute Charlotteville (ERIC) to conduct a coastal zone management exercise at King’s Bay on August 20, 2020.

TTAL’s Director of Product Development and Destination Management, Mr. Narendra Ramgulam, joined representatives from ERIC and the Division of Tourism, Culture and Transportation for a tree planting exercise. The team planted coconut, sea grape, and almond trees along the shore of King’s Bay: a dark-sand beach situated on Tobago’s windward coast that offers gentle waters, colourful reefs, and convenient beach facilities.

Speaking on the significance of the exercise, Mr. Ramgulam stated, “The integrity and health of coastal areas are of strategic importance to the development and long-term sustainability of Tobago’s tourism industry. The joint tree-planting exercise will not only provide aesthetic appeal in the coming years and strengthen Tobago’s environmentally sound brand, but is also an investment in mitigating against coastal erosion.”

“This was an admirable initiative by ERIC and we look forward to working with them again on many other environmental projects,” he added.

The Tobago Tourism Agency Limited continues to focus on development initiatives that enhance the environmental sustainability and eco-tourism offerings of the island, in order to retain and build an environment that is in line with the destination’s brand of “Tobago Beyond: unspoilt, untouched, undiscovered”.

The Agency is currently pursuing Blue Flag and Green Key certification to raise the standard and quality of sustainable tourism products, and boost Tobago’s international appeal for eco-conscious travellers.