myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Hey, this is my third attempt at posting in this forum topic.....my two last attempts failed due to my computer crashing so this is the abbreviated version of my thoughts.
As a local invovled in tourism and also working in the conservation movement I always respected and enjoyed the exchanges of thought and comments on Mytobago.com. Yes, Tobago has alot of problems, but I think it's one of the most beautiful places on earth and if I did'nt think so I would'nt be here. I think local buisnesses are either ignorant to the power and usefullness of sites like Mytobago or I think that those who are aware are fearful of shedding Tobago in any negative light because they are afraid of upsetting the powers that be and are afraid of not getting their gov'nt handouts or wary of reprissals by the relevant gov'nt ministries. Alot of buisness owners are all about what Tobago can do for them not what they can do for Tobago.
I say this because of what Paul has said about environmental degradation pertaining to tourism. Yes, the tourism industry has alot to do with it but Tobago has not been relying on tourism for a very long time and very recently the THA has proudly admitted the fact that the CEPEP project employs more than 12,000 Tobagonians. Tourism did employ alot of people but many of them had (has) gov'nt jobs that pay them a full day's wage for working a very minimal time in the morning.
The destruction of the Buccoo Reef is mainly a result of the two defunct sewage treatment plants in Buccoo and Bon-Accord and also due to grey water coming from homes, buisnesses and farms. Runoff, wanton removal of top soil and deforestation all play a role in the damage of all the reefs in Tobago. Walking on Buccoo Reef still exists as is the anchoring on it.
I love 'my' island but do not believe it is perfect. Not everything said in Mytobago forums I'd agree with but ,being in the tourism industry, I read and take in everything posted because I value every visitors comment.This helps my buisness/conservation efforts keep in touch with what visitors want, what visitors expect and what visitors feel about the levels of service and standards in the Tourism industry in Tobago.
Good Work Steve, hope you keep the site up.

Since the posting on Castara by Sam we have had meetings every month by those of us in the village who are involved in tourism. We set up a Tourist Development committee to look into everything and to look at what we can do to keep things good for visitors. I am on the committee and can say that we are focussed on getting things right. We meet two times a month and plenty of people come. The first thing we did was to organise cook-ups on Sundays so that visitors can find something to eat at lunchtime when lots of people close to go to church. This has been going well and we did this two times so far and lots of people came and took a box for 40tt , and we sold plenty of food. We will do this more times when we feel there is a need.

The loud music cannot happen in the way it did. Plenty of us see that it needs to be organised different. Our plan is for our committee to organise the music each year at Fisherman Fete in August. This took place just a couple of weeks ago and the music ended at midnight. No one was complaining. . The next day we all went to the beach to clean up. There was also seaweed on the beach and we cleaned this up and buried it. The beach looks good. There are no plans for there to be a beach party or loud music very often.

We plan to invite the bread ladies and the seine fishermen to meet with us to discuss tourists and things that can be improved. Plenty of us in Castara are making a living from tourism. We are a small and friendly village and we want people to come and enjoy the beach, to meet us locals and to know they are welcome.

Hi Porridge, Sue here, you'll be picking us up in November to head to the Beachhouse, and we'll be SO happy to meet you! I'm glad you chimed in here on this forum, as I have to admit, this heading caught my eye, seeing as this is our first time in Tobago, and first time in Castara!
I'm sure all will be well, and there will be the appropriate amount of times where there's music and/or no music in the area.... As I'm new here, I have no background, just want to hope that it is a nice little friendly fishing village; and if it happens that there is loud music sometimes - well I know friends of ours in Grenada blasted some music from their stereos high up in the hills - and I'm sure their neighbours weren't too happy either. But if you love music, you love music.
but please - no guns please!
Porridge, can you reach you just on this forum, or do you have email where we could connect first, rather than going through Alison? thanks a lot!

in reply to sue here is my email address is [email protected]

Hi Porridge

Welcome aboard!

It is good to hear from a resident of the village. The formation of the Castara Tourism Development Association CTDA) was a great move. I wish you the association evey success. I've been hearing great things about the efforts to date, which, unusually for Tobago, have lead to direct action rather than just talk. Congratulations! Please post here again, as things develop, to keep us updated with what's going on in the village.

thanks Steve!!!
will keep in touch

Definitely hate this title, now that we just arrived home from the Beachhouse & Castara!!!
No bad sounds other than the roosters, and the odd taxi or truck arriving for deliveries... mostly just the birds and the odd human being going fishing in the morning...
Great little village, great people....
PERFECT place, wouldn't stay anywhere else on the island, is what we decided after 2 weeks there!!!!