TOURISM is the lifeblood of Tobago’s economy.
The island’s unique, indigenous heritage, picturesque beaches and renowned historic landmarks have made it an ideal destination for visitors both at home and abroad.
But that reputation is being threatened by an upsurge in murders and other violent crimes, the likes of which Tobago have never experienced before, stakeholders contend.
On July 8, three men were gunned down in Black Rock while playing a card game outside of a shop along the main road. A fourth died at the Scarborough General Hospital the following day.
The killings, in just seven months, pushed Tobago’s murder toll for 2024 to 16. The island recorded 14 murders in 2023.
Police believe the majority of the murders are gang-related.
With an economy still rebounding from the crippling effects of the covid19 pandemic four years ago and more recently, an oil spill, off the coast of the Cove Eco-Industrial Park, there is growing concern among stakeholders that a continued increase in murders and gun violence could be devastating for Tobago's economy.
The Tobago Business Chamber hopes that aspects of the crime plan announced at the July 9 National Security Council meeting at the Central Administrative Services – Tobago will produce results for Tobagonians.
Chamber chairman Martin George said the meeting must be more than just a talk shop and photo-op.
“We want substantive, serious and definitive changes and improvements because we have said before that if it is that Tobago loses its feeling of safety and security and serenity and calm, then it really has very little to offer to a visitor,” he told Newsday.
“There is no tourist who is going to leave their homes to plan a vacation where there is a warning, a US advisory or a Canadian government advisory saying this place is not safe. Nobody wants to do that. Therefore, we have to be mindful of the impact that crime has on the business community and on the business of Tobago, which is primarily hinged on tourism.”
Rising crime in Tobago, he said, also has implications for locals.
“Even from the perspective of domestic tourism, where Trinidadians come to Tobago, a major draw of what they come for is to be able to let their hair down, to be able to relax and enjoy themselves in peace, harmony and security without having to look over their shoulders. Being free to go out at night, to have dinner, relax, lime with their friends, and enjoy themselves. They cannot always get that in Trinidad, so Tobago is very attractive to them in that regard.”
George fears Tobago may become the murder capital, “because right now the scary thing about it is that on a per capita basis, Tobago has more murders for the year thus far than Trinidad.
“If you consider for 60,000 people with 16 murders for the year, thus far, on a per capita basis, we are way ahead of Trinidad. So imagine that, Tobago which used to point fingers at Trinidad as the violent and criminal place is now ranking ahead of Trinidad on a per capita basis for murders for the year thus far. That
