Tobago - Economy and Tourism

Economy and Tourism

Tobago's economy is tightly linked with Trinidad and is based on liquefied natural gas (LNG), petrochemicals, and steel. The principal economic forces specific to Tobago are tourism and government spending. Conventional beach and water-sports tourism is largely in the south-west around the airport and the coastal strip; however, ecotourism is growing in significance, and much of it focuses on the large area of protected forest in the centre and north of the main island and on Little Tobago, a small island off the north-east tip of the main island.

Tourism is concentrated in the south-west of the island, around Crown Point, Store Bay, Pigeon Point and Buccoo Reef. This area has large expanses of sand and is dominated by resort-type developments. Tobago has many idyllic beaches along its coastline, especially those at Castara, Bloody Bay, and Englishman's Bay.

Tobago is linked to the world through the Arthur Napoleon Raymond Robinson International Airport (formerly Crown Point Airport) and Scarborough harbour. Domestic flights connect Tobago with Trinidad, and international flights connect with the Caribbean and Europe. There is also a daily fast ferry service between Port of Spain and Scarborough.

The island of Tobago has been considered the island that inspired the story Robinson Crusoe. However, the book is probably based on some of the experiences of Alexander Selkirk, who was marooned in the Pacific's Juan Fernández Islands. Adding to the confusion for modern claims of fame, this island was the filming location for the Walt Disney movie The Swiss Family Robinson.

Tobago is the site of the famous "mystery tombstone".