CROWN POINT, Trinidad and Tobago — The air travelling experience on the island of Tobago just got an upgrade with the opening of new multimillion dollar airport terminal at the A.N.R. Robinson International Airport on October 13. 

The TT$1.2 billion (US$129.83 million) terminal is designed to accommodate more than three million passengers annually. 

The terminal features a heritage hall, a rainforest-themed experience, local artwork, a marketplace for micro-entrepreneurs, tourism offices and commercial spaces. 

Passenger facilities include a children’s playroom, prayer room and breastfeeding room.

An additional acre of parking space provides 196 spaces, supplementing the 240 already available. Taxi and car rental facilities are also included.

Flights to and from the new terminal are set to begin on October 14.

Officials say the investment must now translate into stronger air links, tourism growth and economic opportunities for Tobagonians.

Speaking at the opening, Tourism Secretary Zorisha Hackett said the terminal support efforts to secure more international connections are available to bring visitors to Tobago.

“For tourism, this terminal strengthens one of the most fundamental conditions of growth, and that is access. Tobago, as you all know, possesses extraordinary natural beauty, a rich cultural heritage, and an identity that distinguishes us from destinations many times our size. But our ability to translate those strengths into sustained tourism growth depends heavily on how conveniently and how consistently visitors can reach our shores,” she said.

“This additional terminal, therefore, strengthens our capacity to pursue increased airlift, to engage international partners, and to accommodate future growth to our visitor arrivals. And already, we are seeing encouraging developments.”

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar in her feature address urged Tobagonians to take a greater role in the tourism economy and called for more Tobago-owned hotels and guesthouses.

“We must ensure Tobagonians are not spectators in their island’s development but that you are active participants and beneficiaries in the island’s development,” the prime minster said. 

“I want to see more Tobago-made products in our shops, more local farmers supplying our hotels, more Tobagonian-owned hotels and guesthouses, and young entrepreneurs building successful businesses here in Tobago.”

Augustine apologises to families displaced by expansion

Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Farley Augustine apologised to families displaced by the airport expansion, acknowledging concerns about compensation based on outdated property values and delays that led some families to pursue legal action to secure payment.

“I am sorry that you were only compensated based on the property values from years ago rather than what it will cost for you to rebuild your home today. I am sorry that having surrendered your lands, you were then asked to pay the THA an arm and a leg for the lands upon which to resettle. I am sorry that folks like Mr. Lovell had to sue to be paid,” Augustine said

“I am sorry that many of you have been left poorer than you were before. I am sorry that the very lands beneath which your ancestors buried your neighbour’s strings now fertilise the beautiful lawn surrounding this terminal.”

He said the THA would proceed with a contract awarded in 2023 to construct more than 50 housing units for affected families. 

Conceptual designs were presented the previous week, and the assembly plans to meet with the families soon.

Augustine also outlined plans to seek Cabinet approval to repurpose the old western terminal for private jets, cargo operations and training opportunities for young people interested in the airline industry.

He cautioned that the new terminal alone would not guarantee tourism success.

“We can build beautiful terminals, but without direct flights, sufficient hotel rooms, effective marketing, attractive experiences, excellent service, we will not achieve our tourism ambitions,” he said.