Property Ownership in Tobago ... Right or Wrong?

[Paul Tallet]

I refer to Clyde's recent post about the position regarding the purchase of property or property development in Tobago which was very informative.

It may become possible to take ownership of properties or land opportunities in some parts of Tobago ... I guess that this will be acceptable if commercial tour operators are able to do so and organically develop the tourist trade without too much radical harm to the Island.

I am not so sure that it would be good if it is made easier for individuals to purchase property for their own benefit.

I go back about 5 or 6 years when a resident of Castara asked me if I would be interested in buying a house in Castara ... at this stage, contruction was taking place for new residential homes just outside Castara (outside the village) ... apparently, many residents in Castara were planning to relocate to the new builds and were keen to sell their properties in the village.

I guess that if the village all moved to the new builds then the community could stay intact but I wonder where the rational is of a village community that, generally, seems happy to surrender it's current way of day to day life to allow a load of foreigners to acquire and (possibly not) occupy most of the dwellings in the village ... at inflated prices I would add!

Anyway ... I said to this chap that if I took his house, I may take his job too on the basis that I would do it more efficiently ... not traditionally!!

In due course he may end up getting charged for having access to the beach he used to splash around in when he was a kid ... that's not funny if you are a fisherman!!

So ... let the debate begin ...


I will start it off by saying that I am opposed to private ownership of property in Tobago by foreigners ... I go to Tobago for nice holidays, nice people and simplicity ... I don't want to own any of it ... and I don't like paying a fee to go on the beaches (re: Barbados).

I guess it is wishful thinking on my part if it could stay the same

Regards

[SandraK]

Well, that's opened a can of worms ! Am in two minds really. Brought up in an idyllic village in Devon - population around 200 - now many of the properties are "holiday homes" - whose fault, if fault is the word - answer, the villagers who sold. Surely the same the world over !
We would love to own a property on Tobago but feel we have no right to. Thereagain would never say never, I am a total hypocrite, just like most people. Would far prefer to see people who really care about the island having a stake than faceless corporations.

Should add, met a couple while there in May who had last visited 20 years ago, it was exactly as they remembered. Progress or regress - not for me to decide. Homo sapiens aspires and who are we to decide how another country should go forward or not.

We will still enjoy while we can !!

[Andy K]

Paul, Folks,

i am SO tempted to start writing... but i will resist the temptation. This matter is so much beyond what we may
be able to discuss here in this forum, without ending up deep inside of politics (and in deep sh..) and without offending at least some of the readers.
I wish some of us could sit down over some beers and discuss the topic anytime soon. And beers seem to be very much required for especially THIS matter.

Regards,

Andy

[Steve Wooler]

Well said, Andy. My own sentiments exactly.

Don't get me wrong; I welcome the debate and would love to respond to Paul's comments. However, as Sandra said and you appear to concur, it is a can of worms.

[SandraK]

Andy
Quite happy to discuss ! Beers on me, well, the first 4 or so.
See you next month then !!

[Andy K]

Great, Sandra ! Looking forward to that

Anybody else ? (I'll buy some beers, too)

I will be in Tobago from Sept 23rd to Sept 27th, about one week around October 25th, and most likely somewhere
in between, too, for a few days. Otherwise work in Trinidad but i am always ready to come up for a
good lime

[Hugh S]

This subject has been discussed for years. Here's an old thread that may add some insight:

http://www.mytobago.info/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4691

Hugh

[SandraK]

Andy
Could you possibly contact Steve and let me have your e mail address or phone number. Will definitely contact you and look forward to a good debate.
Don't panic, although a Brit can cook and OH makes a real mean rum punch !!

[Andy K]

ok Sandra, done. You will then soon get mail from Steve.
Looking forward to a fruitful debate and good eats and drinks