Tobago, one of the Caribbean's most unspoiled islands, has won awards for ecotourism, including "The Number One Eco-destination in the Caribbean" award from the Caribbean Travel Awards Committee. The House of Assembly attributes 54 percent of the island's annual GDP to tourism, and approximately 20 percent of the local workforce is directly employed within the industry. The government perceives sustainable tourism development as being crucial to both the island's economy and to the survival of local communities.
Many ecotourists are attracted by Tobago's biodiversity and varied natural habitats, which include beaches, coral reefs, a belt of rain forest, mountains and deciduous forest. These need to be protected if ecotourism is to be sustainable. Small island states are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, so the University of Oxford and the University of East Anglia are carrying out an ongoing project to monitor the existing and potential negative impacts of climate change on ecotourism in Tobago, including threats to endemic species and coastal habitats, changes to vegetation and increased frequency of extreme events.
Nature Parks and Reserves
Tobago has a rich variety of indigenous flora and fauna, and conservation is taken very seriously. Pigeon Park Reserve is the oldest legally protected forest reserve in the western hemisphere. Forest trails enable visitors to explore the reserve's habitats or enjoy a swim in a waterfall pool. Birdwatchers can spot more than 200 species in the island's bird sanctuaries, which include St. Giles Rocks, Grafton Caledonia Wildlife Sanctuary and Little Tobago Island, which can be visited only via a licensed tour operator. The Botanic Gardens contain a host of tropical trees and shrubs, and at the Genesis Nature Park visitors can see monkeys, agouti, wild hogs and parrots, as well as a collection of native artwork. Tobago is a breeding ground for endangered leatherback turtles, which come ashore to lay eggs during summer. Tourists can visit the beaches if accompanied by a certified guide.
Beach activities include boating and water sports such as swimming, kayaking and windsurfing, as well as snorkeling and scuba diving along the coral reefs. Inland, there are opportunities for mountain biking, hiking and rock climbing. Naturalist tours include Buccoo Marsh and Grafton Estate, Little Tobago Island and glass-bottom boat trips to Buccoo Reef. The premier cultural attraction is the annual Tobago Heritage Festival, held each July, which offers visitors a chance to observe and participate in the island's traditional cultural activities, including village visits, music and dancing and culinary displays.
A variety of eco-accommodations can be found on Tobago. Tobago Beach Accommodation is a self-catering eco-settlement in the Bay of Castara that is managed and maintained by local villagers. Another self-catering option is the Aventure Eco Villas in the Arnos Nature Reserve. Rainbow Nature Resort is a converted cocoa house at the edge of the rain forest and on a plantation that practices agriforestry and ecofarming. At the more luxurious end of the market is Kariwak Village at Crown Point, which offers holistic therapies, Buddhist meditation, yoga and massage. This hotel has 24 rooms with bathrooms and private patios, of which 18 are around the pool and six are in the secluded, award-winning gardens. The restaurant serves Creole and Caribbean cuisine. Camping is permitted in the forests, but it is recommended that visitors do so only as part of a hiking tour with an experienced guide.
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