As the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited (TTAL) continues its efforts to strengthen Tobago’s position as a leader in sustainable tourism, the Agency welcomed over fifty international delegates from thirty countries to the island’s pristine shores for the annual Blue Flag National Operators Meeting, which was hosted from October 15th to 18th at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex by TTAL in collaboration with
Green T&T, the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and the Blue Flag International Office in Denmark.

The Blue Flag National Operators Meeting is hosted in a different country each year, bringing together , national operators from across the globe to discuss the future of FEE’s iconic Blue Flag Programme. One of the world’s most recognized voluntary environmental standards awarded to beaches, marinas and sustainable boat tour operators, the Blue Flag is administered in Tobago by Green T&T with the support of the TTAL.

This prestigious certification was first awarded to Top Catch Charters in 2021, followed by Miss Ayana Glass-bottom Boat Tours in 2022, making Trinidad and Tobago the first country in the English-speaking Caribbean to achieve Blue Flag status for boats. With two boat tour operators currently certified, and three applications currently under review, Tobago also boasts the highest number of Blue Flag certified boat operators in the English speaking Caribbean, adding further acclaim to the island’s renowned reef tours among eco-conscious travellers.

On Tuesday 15th October, the Honourable Farley Chavez Augustine, Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) welcomed delegates to the island, with a vibrant display of Tobago’s hospitality, local cuisine and culture. In addressing the delegates, the Chief Secretary stressed the importance of the event for the island, saying that:

“…for us in Tobago, we are adamant that we must be able to preserve what we grew up on and grew up with so that several generations later, we’ll be able to enjoy the same things we enjoyed as children. And that’s the key to sustainable development. That is the key to ensuring that for many, many generations to come, you can continue to come to Tobago and enjoy what we have, but even more importantly, we can continue to live off of the ocean. And that’s essentially what the blue economy is about…over the next few days, you will get a chance to enjoy the warmth of Tobago and a chance to understand why the blue economy, and perhaps all things blue, are so important to us.”

In addition to discussions regarding the future of the Blue Flag programme, this year’s National Operators Meeting in Tobago will also drive the development of a sustainability boat tour operator policy for the blue economy, which will be led by Green T&T and the Blue Flag International Office, with funding from UNDP Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme. With these efforts, the legacy of the 2024 Blue Flag National Operators Meeting in Tobago will be long-lasting, strengthening the island’s reputation as a destination for eco-friendly tourism while fostering long-term connections for future international events and initiatives.

In addition to discussions regarding the future of the Blue Flag programme, this year’s National Operators Meeting in Tobago will also drive the development of a sustainability boat tour operator policy for the blue economy, which will be led by Green T&T and the Blue Flag International Office, with funding from UNDP Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme. With these efforts, the legacy of the 2024 Blue Flag National Operators Meeting in Tobago will be long-lasting, strengthening the island’s reputation as a destination for eco-friendly tourism while fostering long-term connections for future international events and initiatives.

Also speaking at the welcome ceremony for the meeting, His Excellency Peter Cavendish, Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Trinidad and Tobago noted the commonality in objectives between Trinidad and Tobago and the European Union in driving sustainable tourism, and welcomed the opportunity to further discussions for a common strategy.

Describing Trinidad and Tobago as a cornucopia of talent and genius, His Excellency also praised the selection of Tobago as the host for this year’s event, stating that “whoever chose Tobago for this meeting, it was a sort of an act of genius.” He added:

“You’re standing in a country which has produced the only new percussion instrument in the last 50 years, where one third of the world’s trade passes outside of the windows, which has the world’s number one chocolate, which has the world’s number one cocoa genome, which has the world’s number one cocoa research centre, which has invented Soca, Sol and Calypso…More importantly as environmentalists…you’re standing in the shadow of the boundary main ridge reserve. The legislation enacted at the time by the British Parliament in 1776 is considered to be the first piece of environmental legislation of the modern era.”

Following the strategic meetings, delegates also had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the island’s rich local culture and natural beauty, experiencing some of the most memorable and authentic local attractions that take our visitors beyond the ordinary, including excursions to the historic Fort King George, the UNESCO-designated Main Ridge Forest Reserve, and the renowned Buccoo Reef with the Blue Flag certified Miss Ayana Glass-bottom Boat Tours.

Through strategic partnerships and initiatives such as the Blue Flag programme, TTAL remains committed to strengthening the island’s brand of Tobago Beyond Ordinary by raising the island’s profile as a leader in sustainable tourism and eco-conscious travel in the Caribbean. Visit tobagobeyond.com and follow the TTAL on social media to learn more.