Tobago Tourism Shifts Gears as Outgoing Secretary Tashia Burris Leaves Office with New Human Capital Vision for the Future

Tobago Tourism Shifts Gears as Outgoing Secretary Tashia Burris Leaves Office with a strong focus on Human Capital Vision for the Future. As she steps down after a four‑year term, Burris reflects on the progress made, especially the emphasis on building a resilient and skilled tourism workforce. Despite facing several challenges, her leadership highlighted the need for long‑term strategies that nurture local talent, positioning Tobago for sustainable growth. The recent launch of the Tourism Scholarship Programme stands as a testament to her vision, aiming to equip future leaders with the necessary skills to shape the island’s tourism sector.

Burris has always believed in the importance of human capital, seeing it as the key to overcoming the current challenges and future-proofing Tobago’s growing industry. As the island moves forward, her efforts leave behind a foundation grounded in education, skill development, and opportunity for all Tobagonians.

Human Capital Takes Centre Stage in Tobago’s Tourism Renewal

In what she described as the highlight of her term, Burris unveiled a landmark initiative designed to transform Tobago’s tourism workforce — the Tourism Scholarship Programme. The initiative, launched at the Scarborough Library, offers six distinct scholarships to support Tobagonians pursuing studies related to tourism and allied fields such as maritime, aviation, hospitality and cultural entrepreneurship. One of the scholarships honours a living tourism stalwart, and others pay tribute to late local figures who contributed to the island’s cultural and tourism heritage. The programme also includes short‑course certifications to deepen specialised skills.

Burris framed the scholarship launch not merely as an educational opportunity but as a strategic investment in the future of the island’s most crucial economic engine. She emphasised that developing local talent and specialised capabilities today will ensure a more competitive and resilient tourism sector tomorrow. The support programme will be managed by the Department of Advanced Training and Advisory Services, with financial oversight provided by the Division of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities & Transportation.

Vision and Legacy: More Than Building Blocks

Speaking days before formally exiting her role with the THA, Burris underlined that her work was guided by a long‑term vision rather than short‑term political or commercial gains. She acknowledged that her tenure began with eagerness and high expectations but was tested by forces well beyond her control, such as global travel disruptions and unforeseen local incidents. These events, she indicated, reshaped the tourism landscape and required adaptive leadership.

Burris expressed that the scholarship programme represents the culmination of her efforts to leave behind a foundational legacy for her successor and for Tobago’s tourism stakeholders. She conveyed that her aim had always been to prepare the division and the sector for sustainable growth and to empower Tobago’s youth to become the future custodians of their island’s tourism narrative.

Beyond COVID: Rebuilding Through Education and Skills

Tobago’s tourism rebound following the COVID‑19 pandemic was, by all accounts, steady yet fragile. Burris outlined that international arrivals increased incrementally over her term, starting from early reopenings in 2022 to growing visitor numbers in subsequent years. The progress, however, faced setbacks from events such as an oil spill and a highly publicised shark incident — both of which are known to impact travel sentiment and demand. These events illustrated to Burris the delicate nature of tourism recovery and the need for diversified strength, not just in marketing Tobago as a destination but in equipping locals with skills to manage future challenges.

The scholarship programme reflects that principle: building competencies in technology, heritage management, creative industries and hospitality operations creates a multifaceted workforce capable of innovating within the sector. Burris emphasised that young Tobagonians should see tourism as a career platform and not a fallback option, inviting them to pursue opportunities with institutional support.

Handling Criticism: Responding to Sectoral Doubts

Throughout her tenure, Burris has faced criticism over the pace of tourism recovery and outcomes from strategic initiatives. Critics argued that more aggressive measures could have been taken to increase visitor arrivals and elevate Tobago’s profile. In addressing these issues, Burris contextualised the criticism by highlighting external factors, such as the timing of Tobago’s reopening after the pandemic and subsequent events that impacted traveller confidence. She also pointed to systemic issues that affect the wider Caribbean region, stressing that many destinations share similar vulnerabilities.

Importantly, Burris clarified that perceptions of inadequate performance often overlooked the complexities of tourism management in a highly competitive global environment. She maintained that every possible effort had been made to move the sector forward against significant headwinds, and that her focus had been on structural improvements and capacity building rather than only short‑term tourist volume gains.

Tourism as an Economic Pillar: The Bigger Picture

Tourism remains a cornerstone of Tobago’s economy, contributing significantly to employment, foreign exchange earnings and community development. With direct international arrivals accounting for about 14 per cent of GDP and broader tourism activities contributing up to 25 per cent when indirect and domestic tourism are included, the sector’s performance has direct implications for the island’s socio‑economic stability. Burris highlighted this during her remarks, noting that the holistic development of the tourism workforce and attractions will help sustain this economic role.

In addition to fostering academic and vocational pathways, the scholarship programme aims to strengthen Tobago’s position in emerging subsectors such as heritage, festival management, creative industries and sustainable destination development. The goal is to create a tourism ecosystem that leverages both traditional strengths — spectacular beaches, biodiversity and culture — and new competencies that resonate with modern traveller expectations.

Addressing Security and Perception Challenges

Recent discussions around security and infrastructure have also influenced perceptions of Tobago as a travel destination. Burris responded to concerns linking external installations such as radar systems or heightened security measures to tourism performance. She clarified that it is the state’s emergency status — not the presence of radar installations — that influences traveller insurance policies and, consequently, visitor decisions. This distinction is critical for understanding how narrative and policy intersect with tourism economics, especially in an era where travel insurance and risk assessments are pivotal for international visitors.

By addressing these nuanced factors, Burris revealed her awareness of the broader ecosystem influencing travel behaviour — beyond beaches and festivals — and the need for tourism leadership to engage with infrastructural, regulatory and perceptual factors that shape destination choice.

Looking Forward: Continuity or Change

As her term concludes, Burris made clear she had never intended to serve beyond her initial four‑year plan. Her focus was always to establish a foundation strong enough for future leaders to build upon. While she indicated she might consider further opportunities if offered another term, family commitments and personal prospects are now priorities.

For Tobago’s hospitality industry, the transition to new leadership will come at a pivotal time. Stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the policy settings, human capital investments and strategic frameworks established under Burris’s stewardship are upheld or adapted. The scholarship programme, in particular, offers a tangible benchmark of her legacy — one that connects education, economic strategy and community investment in a sector central to Tobago’s identity.

Conclusion: A Legacy Grounded in People

Tashia Burris leaves her post with a clear message: tourism’s future in Tobago depends not only on marketing and events but on the people who shape the visitor experience and manage the sector. Her emphasis on scholarships and professional development acknowledges that destinations are defined by their human capital as much as by their natural beauty. With tourism still navigating recovery and evolving global dynamics, Tobago’s renewed focus on human capacity may prove one of the most enduring outcomes of her administration.

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