Published:
Thursday, August 18, 2016
T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce
No one can deny that the twin-island state of T&T has experienced a great degree of change and development since we achieved Independence; a result of the prosperity derived from the fortunes of energy booms of past decades. Despite that fact, many significant areas continue to lag behind in development, particularly in Tobago.
Tobago today, with a mainly tourism-dependent economy, remains plagued by inadequate infrastructure and governance-related issues. These ultimately impact upon the island’s ability to truly harness its potential and diversify away from state dependence.
A good example is the current inter-island transport services and its critical importance which cannot be underestimated. Sustainable economic development is often prefaced by a functioning and efficient transportation system of people, goods and services. In the case of Tobago, it seems that economic development has somewhat crept along without the attendant facilitating environment.
Although the distance between the two islands is a mere 20 to 25 minutes by air, it appears that the quality of this service is a major hurdle that affects the sustainable economic expansion of the island. This air bridge may be likened to a highway that links the two islands.
For Tobagonians, this bridge represents the transfer of much needed goods, job and professional development opportunities, entertainment and, for some, their very livelihood. To say that it’s a lifeline is by no means an exaggeration since in instances of emergency healthcare and patients’ lives literally hang in the balance when they have to be airlifted to Trinidad for advanced medical treatment that may be unavailable in Tobago.
It is no surprise then, to hear cries of exorbitant consumer goods prices, delays in flight cargo, cancellations of flights and even long lines at the ANR Robinson International Airport after a long weekend or a high-attendance event such as the Tobago Jazz Experience. All of these are symptomatic of an inefficient airport/airlift system. It is impractical to expect Tobago to be a prime tourist destination when the authorities appear incapable of providing a service that will attract and delight the required target market.
The presence of a port usually signals the rise of a town and is closely trailed by burgeoning economic activity in and around the adjacent areas. In the case of Tobago, the port exists; however, its condition has long been outstripped by the high volume of ferries, yachts, cruise liners and other like vessels.
If one were to focus on the inter-island ferry service we can see that this service, not unlike the air service between the two islands, experiences recurrent challenges, and the movement of goods and people remains a tenuous balancing act.
The distance by sea between the two islands, similar to that of that of air, is relatively short, measuring a mere 64 miles (103km). This represents roughly, a three-hour journey by ferry.
In the case of goods though, a cargo haul that may take approximately three to five hours to pack in Trinidad can be delayed for days upon reaching Tobago’s port due to lack of machinery or manpower to offload and move. Moreover, the ferry’s carrying capacity is limited (and lethargic) given current demands.
For one reason or another, the ferry may not be not operated at full speed and full capacity, with the consequence of having goods and people compete for the same boat to make the crossing between the two islands. To further complicate matters, whenever a cruise ship docks, it can present a major obstacle for port officials and other cargo operators who may be delayed for hours due to the cruise ship’s presence. This delay often translates to higher final consumer prices for Tobagonians.
That the Scarborough port needs a total overhaul is indisputable. In order to meet the present and projected demands placed on it to facilitate tourist arrivals, cargo transport and business and leisure travel between both islands, the facility requires substantial upgrade. Moreover, it is imperative that sustainable funding be allocated towards maintaining it. This can only enhance the commercial and business appeal of Tobago and will certainly make it a more self-sufficient partner in our twin-island state.
At the core of the challenge lies a number of domestic issues creating greater difficulty for private enterprise, in particular, on the island.
At present, a majority of the working population in Tobago remains dependent upon the State for their livelihood. This has implications for the private tourism sector and other businesses, particularly those in the retail and services sectors. High standards for service is a must in any effort to encourage growth in international or domestic tourism; so too is an adequate room stock to meet high-season demands.
These are all areas that are ripe for public-private co-operation. For this to happen, Tobago will need to fully subscribe to all the pillars of sustainable development in order to reach the desired state of economic prosperity and independence.
Whether the focus is on heritage or festivals, leisure pursuits, events, the environment or the traditional sun, sand and sea, Tobago is an island brimming with potential for many varieties of tourism. It remains for the powers-that-be to accept that transformation is a necessary part of the island’s development and to engage in timely action to ensure that it happens.
Business Guardian