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Tobago’s tourism industry, a cornerstone of Trinidad and Tobago’s economic diversification strategy, is grappling with unprecedented challenges. A combination of new taxes, a prolonged state of emergency, and escalating regional tensions following US military actions has severely impacted the sector. Hotel occupancy rates in Tobago have plummeted by nearly 40% ahead of the Christmas season, according to Reginald Mac Lean, President of the Tobago Hotel and Tourism Association (THTA).

Mac Lean highlighted that the state of emergency declared on December 30, 2024, coupled with recent geopolitical developments, has led to significant financial losses for the industry. He acknowledged the government’s efforts to address crime but noted that the current measures have had a detrimental effect on tourism. Businesses across the board, including hotels, guest houses, restaurants, and tour operators, are feeling the strain.

The situation is further exacerbated by a 100% increase in duties on alcohol, which has led to substantial price hikes. This has particularly affected all-inclusive packages, making it difficult for Tobago to compete with other Caribbean destinations. Dianne Joseph, President of the TT Coalition of Services Industries (TTCSI), emphasized the broader psychological impact of global instability on international travel, which is crucial for Tobago’s tourism.

Despite these challenges, there are glimmers of hope. Barry Bidaisee, Director of the Tourism Industry Association of TT, reported that Trinidad is experiencing more promising activity for the upcoming Christmas and Carnival season. He also welcomed the government’s plans to reopen the Hotel School in Chaguaramas and develop sports tourism, which could provide new opportunities for growth.

Both Mac Lean and Joseph stressed the importance of resilience and strategic adaptation to navigate these turbulent times. They believe that by leveraging Tobago’s unique cultural assets and fostering collaboration, the industry can overcome current adversities and continue to thrive.

Trinidad and Tobago’s economic future hinges on the development of a robust and inclusive capital market that can mobilize private investment and bolster public confidence. This was the central message at the TT Stock Exchange’s Capital Markets and Investor Conference 2025, held on October 24 in Port of Spain. Key stakeholders, including government officials and private-sector experts, emphasized the need to shift from state-driven growth to private-sector-led development. Dr. Kennedy Swaratsingh, Minister of Planning, Economic Affairs and Development, highlighted the government’s role in creating an enabling environment through legislation and policy, while urging broader participation in the TT Stock Exchange (TTSE) to enhance liquidity. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo announced initiatives such as a state-sponsored Real Estate Investment Trust and a $1 billion National Investment Fund bond, aimed at democratizing ownership and stimulating the domestic market. Central Bank Governor Larry Howai underscored the importance of balancing monetary policy with capital-market growth, while exploring digital innovations like tokenization and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). Anthony Zamore of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) discussed the transformative potential of AI, blockchain, and tokenization in reshaping global finance, urging Trinidad and Tobago to embrace these technologies to attract global investors. Andre Jeffers of Ansa McAL called for bridging the gap between private businesses and public markets to ensure the sustainability of generational enterprises. The conference concluded with a unified call for immediate action to implement these reforms and drive the nation’s next phase of economic development.

The Caribbean’s creative industries, spanning music, fashion, film, animation, digital design, and performing arts, are not only cultural treasures but also significant economic assets with the potential to reshape the region’s growth trajectory. Globally, creative and cultural industries (CCIs) contribute over US$2.3 trillion annually, accounting for 3.1% of global GDP and supporting nearly 30 million jobs. However, in the Caribbean, where creativity is deeply ingrained in national identity, the economic potential of the Orange Economy remains largely untapped due to fragmented markets, inconsistent regulations, limited capital, and small domestic audiences. The Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), a core initiative of Caricom, offers a promising solution by removing barriers and enabling seamless cross-regional operations for creatives. The CSME facilitates the free movement of goods, services, capital, and skilled labor, providing access to an estimated 18 million consumers and fostering collaboration and specialization across borders. By eliminating redundant customs procedures, work permit requirements, and inconsistent VAT regimes, the CSME reduces transaction costs and expands opportunities for creative enterprises. Research by the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD) indicates that creative industries in emerging economies can double their export revenues when regional markets are effectively integrated—a lesson the Caribbean is well-positioned to apply. For instance, a Jamaican filmmaker could collaborate with Barbadian actors, utilize Trinidadian post-production facilities, and distribute across Caricom territories, creating high-quality products at competitive costs. Similarly, a Saint Lucian fashion designer could source sustainable textiles from Suriname, manufacture garments in Trinidad and Tobago, and ship them duty-free throughout the region. These cross-border value chains enhance efficiency, quality, and diversity, making the creative sector more resilient and globally competitive. To ensure the CSME’s continued growth, grant programs and cross-border market access should be tied to clear integration criteria, such as requiring at least 30% of a product’s value to be derived from within Caricom. Legal harmonization, including the Caricom Skilled Nationals Certificate and improved intellectual property (IP) protection, further strengthens the foundation for creatives to license and monetize their work. Realizing the full potential of the Orange Economy requires a deliberate strategy that connects regional integration with measurable economic outcomes, including recognizing the economic and cultural value of creative industries, expanding regional participation, protecting IP, investing in infrastructure, building entrepreneurial capacity, and measuring performance through reliable data. Policymakers and private sector leaders must recognize these as interdependent processes that reinforce each other. For example, investment in digital infrastructure facilitates regional collaboration, enhancing competitiveness and attracting international financing. A modern, regional digital platform could serve as both a marketplace and a knowledge hub, showcasing regional talent, streamlining licensing processes, and connecting creators with international buyers and investors. The Caribbean’s creative economy must balance cultural authenticity with economic pragmatism, integrating fragmented markets, reducing friction, fostering mobility, and enabling collaboration to create a foundation for sustainable growth. Regional governments must commit to enforcing and modernizing CSME provisions, while creative entrepreneurs must view the Caribbean as a unified platform to showcase and commercialize talent. By doing so, the region’s rich cultural heritage, combined with modern business practices and regional cooperation, can generate income, create jobs, and project Caribbean identity on the global stage.

Trinidad and Tobago has taken a bold step toward reshaping its labor landscape with the introduction of an Employment Fund, designed to transition workers from the Community-Based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP) and the Unemployment Relief Programme (URP) into full-time, higher-paying roles. This initiative marks a pivotal shift from dependency-driven schemes to sustainable livelihoods, aiming to address long-standing structural underemployment issues. However, the success of this reform hinges on its alignment with the evolving demands of the labor market and the strategic development of human capital. The 2026 budget underscores key sectors such as tourism, hospitality, digital services, agriculture, and creative industries as pillars of economic diversification. To capitalize on these opportunities, the Employment Fund must foster partnerships with training institutions, industry associations, and professional bodies to ensure workers are equipped with both technical and behavioral competencies. Additionally, the fund must embrace entrepreneurship as a viable pathway to economic empowerment, particularly for women and youth, by providing access to skills training, mentorship, and financial resources. A robust labor market intelligence system will be essential to track progress and ensure the fund remains responsive to workforce needs. Ultimately, this initiative represents more than economic reform; it is a commitment to human dignity, offering workers the tools to thrive in a rapidly changing economy.