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Tobago to Lead Tourism Projects

THA Chief Secretary Hon. Farley Augustine, right, greets Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Keith Rowley ahead of the meeting. At back, Secretary for Food Security, Natural Resources, the Environment and Sustainable Development Nathisha Charles-Pantin (2022).

On Monday (February 7) THA Chief Secretary Hon. Farley Augustine met with Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Keith Rowley, along with members of both the Executive Council and Cabinet to discuss Tobago issues.

Updates were given on government projects being done in Tobago by the Central Government. The Chief Secretary indicated that tourism development on the island was a function of the THA.

“Sometime last year, an announcement was made that there would be a Marriott Hotel in Tobago, for example. These were all Central Government initiatives for tourism in Tobago. Let me make it clear, tourism remains a 5th schedule function, according to Act 40 of 1996, so tourism remains the business of the people of Tobago, and the Tobago House of Assembly. It is difficult for this new administration to support anything that we do not have information on,” he said.

Chief Secretary Augustine said the information had on some of the projects, so far, was what has been projected in the public space.

“We wish to invite these developers and persons involved in these projects to meet with the Executive Council and to present what they plan on doing. Then, and only then, they can get the necessary

buy-in from the Executive Council,” he said.

During the meeting, a “pledge” was made by the Central Government regarding the resumption of Caribbean Airlines Limited’s (CAL) direct flights from New York to Tobago.

THA Chief Secretary Hon. Farley Augustine speaks during the post Executive Council media briefing at the Calder Hall Administrative Complex on Thursday (February 9, 2022).