Ecotourist Project (TRI/92/G51/2101/010) (TRI/92/G51/2101/010)

Project Details & Results

The island of Trinidad, despite its natural beauty, does not have an extensive tourist industry. However, the potential exists to make tourism a vibrant, lucrative and eco-sustainable industry for the inhabitants of Trinidad. The Toco Foundation, a multicultural Foundation for integrated development, an NGO founded in 1991, presents a plan to develop the county of St. David through ecotourist project which would generate employment, be sensitive to the local customs and ecology of the region, and promote national environmental awareness. It is hoped that the project will gain national attention as an alternative model for economic and social development.

Activities to be undertaken in the project include training in food preparation and catering, acquisition of equipment and material for starting up the project activities (such as tools, signage, computer and printer, promotional material, and a radio communication system), establishment of nature trails, visitor facilities and sites for tour activities, identification of community members who are extremely knowledgeble of the area's biodiversity to participate in much needed inventories of the area's flora and fauna, strengthening community participation through a pilot micro-credit programme, provision of technical expertise, and assistance in the acquisition of a vehicle to enable the members of the Foundation to have a reliable transportation system in the project area.



The project was revised to include the Balandra waterfall site, along with the three previous sites selected, viz. Simon Kayay rock formation, T Bay - Sans Souci and Harris waterfall - Basin Galop. Each of the 4 sites would now be coordinated by a designated TF member. Site tours and income generation activities were initiated.

Project Results
Policy influence:
(a) Protection of the flora and fauna of areas in north-eastern Trinidad.
(b) Improvement of the community through the provision of nature tour-guiding and other revenue-earning opportunities (honey and handicraft production, catering, visitor accommodation).
(c) Promotion of the sense of ownership and stewardship of the natural resources and environment by local community.
(d) Sensitisation of decision-makers and support from the national community for the protection of the rich biodiversity of the area through the demonstration of a sustainable approach to development activities in northeastern Trinidad.

Project sustainability:
The Ecotourist Project is already linked to the Foundation's Women Action in Development Project, the Young Farmers Project, the Animal Husbandry Project and the St. David Handicraft Association programmes, all ongoing.
Promotion and implementation of the co-management approach will raise environmental consciousness within the local communities to much higher levels and attract strong support from the community through entrepreneurial opportunities and livelihood generation. Improvement in management capability will facilitate sustainability through better planning and evaluation.

The project was revised to include the Balandra waterfall site, along with the three previous sites selected, viz. Simon Kayay rock formation, T Bay - Sans Souci and Harris waterfall - Basin Galop. Each of the 4 sites would now be coordinated by a designated TF member. Site tours and income generation activities were initiated.