Tobago’s Development Roadblock: Diane Hadad Calls for Streamlined Investment and Sustainable Tourism

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – In a candid interview on Freedom 106.5’s “Eye on the Economy,” host Davey welcomed Diane Hadad, former head of the Tobago Chamber of Commerce and current member of the Private Sector Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago (PSOT) Tourism Committee. Hadad outlined the chronic obstacles hampering Tobago’s economic growth and laid out a roadmap for a more coordinated, investment-friendly future.

Hadad began by acknowledging the persistent “impediments” that surface whenever a development project is proposed in Tobago. She cited the example of a proposed Rocky Point hotel, noting that while the Tobago House of Assembly has earmarked several locations—Black Rock and others cleared by the Environmental Management Authority for 200-to-500-room hotels—projects stall because “someone always has something to say” and red tape slows progress.

She stressed that Tobago’s development must move beyond reliance on subsidised transfers from Trinidad. “We have been too dependent on a check from Trinidad, often misused, which has left our human capital under-developed,” Hadad said, urging a shift toward leveraging the island’s unique assets, such as its UNESCO-audited rainforest, for high-value, sustainable tourism.

The conversation turned to the private sector’s role. Hadad highlighted that PSOT, in its first operational year, has produced a “roadmap for private-sector socioeconomic development,” separating projects into quick wins and medium-to-long-term investments. She praised recent efforts to align private-sector initiatives with the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Tourism, which has identified six tourism development segments and is seeking stakeholder input to prioritise them.

Despite these advances, Hadad warned that bureaucratic bottlenecks remain. She referenced the appointment of Chris James as a foreign-direct-investment advisor, noting his active tourism background, yet stressing that investors still confront “red tape”—delays that translate directly into lost money. A recent property negotiation she described illustrates the issue: a seller’s asking price was US 60 million, undercut by a US 50 million offer, highlighting how stalled processes deter capital.

The former chamber head also recounted a “Sandals fiasco” where poor handling of a presentation led to an apology from the government, underscoring the need for a more open, listening stance toward proposals rather than an automatic “no.”

On tourism, Hadad advocated for a shift from low-cost, mass-market models to “high-value, sustainable tourism” that benefits a broad base of local businesses. She praised Tobago’s “world’s oldest rainforest” as an untapped paradise and urged investment that preserves the environment while generating multiplier effects for SMEs.

Closing the interview, Hadad expressed optimism about an upcoming stakeholder consultation, emphasizing that hearing voices directly—from local entrepreneurs to private-sector leaders—will help “unclog the roadblocks” and accelerate development. She thanked the audience, reaffirmed her commitment to the island’s progress, and encouraged continued collaboration between Tobago, Trinidad, and the private sector.

The interview highlighted both the challenges and the actionable solutions needed to unlock Tobago’s economic potential, setting the stage for a more coordinated, transparent approach to investment and sustainable tourism development.