Tobago
Stefan Nikola
The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts has congratulated the Castara Tourism Development Association for selecting Castara to participate in the improvement program of the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s (UN World Tourism Organization) Best Tourist Villages initiative.
Castara was among three tourism-based villages, including Siparia and Lopinot, submitted by the ministry for consideration. The northeastern community of Tobago was selected from approximately 130 applications from 57 countries.
According to the UN organization, the label “Best Tourist Village” is awarded to a village that is “an outstanding example of a rural tourist destination with recognized cultural and natural assets that preserves and promotes the values, products and lifestyle of community-based…and has a clear commitment to sustainability in all its aspects.”
Villages that do not fully qualify for the Best Tourist Villages label but have potential are accepted into the upgrade program. Castara was recognized as one of 20 villages with this potential and, as part of the improvement programme, will receive support from the UN World Tourism Organization to improve areas identified as gaps during the assessment process.
Known primarily as a fishing village, Castara offers much more to visitors eager to enjoy an authentic Tobago experience.
A dirt oven offers baked goods such as bread and pastries to villagers and visitors on certain days.
Castara Waterfall is another attraction for adventure seekers. Their Fishermen’s Feast is also an event not to be missed.
Every Thursday, there is a bonfire on the beach of Castara with fish broth, baked bread and local sweets for sale.
Towing the seed to the coastline is one of the activities that brings the villagers together.
Visitors can find accommodation in local hotels and other establishments.
Brian Taylor, president of the Castara Tourism Development Association, said it was a great achievement for Castara to be part of the programme. He added, “We as a community have worked hard to develop our community so it is second to none. We are all grateful for the opportunity to be selected. This will help us move forward to move forward not only Castara but Tobago.”
What makes Castara so special?
Taylor explained, “We have our own way of life. Castara is one of the only villages where you can experience real village life. Not only people from outside will tell you that, people from
Tobago will tell you that you have come to Castara and feel the stress melt away.
“We would have kept much of our heritage – the dirty oven, the baked fish on the beach, the baked breadfruit, the attractive seed.
“You have the opportunity as a visitor to experience the way people live, by participating in it.
“We have people coming back for the last 15-20 years. It shows that the model we’ve created, there’s nothing like it anywhere else.”
However, Taylor believes there is still work to be done to improve the tourism product.
“We would like to see our reefs better protected, education programs for fishermen, infrastructure in terms of access roads.”
Taylor praised the work of association directors Natasha Legall-Roberts, Chris Runciman, Yvonne Runciman, Sharon Taylor and Shemika Clarke.
Tourism Minister Randall Mitchell said: “Castara has clearly demonstrated, through this achievement, its huge potential to become an outstanding example of a first-class rural tourism destination. This recognition will undoubtedly boost the ministry’s community-based tourism push.
“We are extremely proud of all the communities that have taken part in the UN World Tourism Organization’s Best Tourist Villages initiative since its launch in 2021 and encourage other tourism-based communities to get on board .”
The ministry said it sees community participation in this initiative as essential to the development and expansion of the community-based tourism area. The ministry said it remains committed to helping communities across Trinidad and Tobago understand the value of tourism to their socio-cultural, environmental and economic well-being and will continue to provide the necessary support to achieve success in this area.
