Tobagonians incensed over
The German
Occupation
Over the past five years, land prices in Tobago has increased by as much as 1000 percent in some areas, as the lure of sunshine, low living costs and the easy pace of life has made the island particularly attractive for European visitors.
For some visitors, a weekend visit was changed into a lifetime residence. Many visitors have decided to buy land and build a summer home or even a more permanent residence in what is considered to be the Caribbean's last undiscovered paradise.
The Mullers, for example, migrated from Germany to the island
in 1991 investing a considerable amount of money in land for residential
purposes. The couple's intentions, they say, is to solely enjoy
the pristine and tranquil life that Tobago offers and to live
out the rest of their days in "Eternity" (the name of
their home). They have on their agenda grand plans to soak up
the sun's rays- and not the country's social resources.
German born, Solvick Kollner and her husband, Hans, acquired 2.5
acres of land in Tobago to set up their home with their pets (including
three horses which they brought with them from Germany).
The couple claims to have spent over US$200,000 on settling on
the island, only to have immigration authorities ordering them
to leave as they do not have residence status.
"We only want to relax in Tobago," says Kollner, in
response to questions of business interest. They claim that they
have no interest in starting a business on the island, having
invested a large sum of money in one of the local banks. Their
plan was to live off the interest alone so they would pose no
strain on the island's economy.
"Tobago is a nice island and the people are friendly."
Ironically, the only thing keeping the Kollners in Tobago is a
pending litigation against them for moneys owed to a neighbour.
Due to the feud, the couple was not be as unfortunate as fellow
German, Inga Kapitza, who went through the trauma of being deported
by immigration authorities in 1996. She returned to Tobago some
months later after 150 villagers signed a petition on her behalf.
Although the experiences of these migrants may be a case of mistaken
intentions, not all visitors and potential residents come with
honourable plans which are appreciated by locals.
The island of Tobago has been the envy of Europeans since it was
first discovered by Columbus in 1498. It also has the record of
changing hands more than any other territory during Europe's imperialist
flirt with the New World.
Today the island is being viewed as a choice location for European
settlers who are looking to settle down after making their fortunes.
Or, with the right connections, a settler can see it as another
unique opportunity to make a fortune all over again.
It appears, that in response to the popular tourism advert "Come
Discover a World the World hasn't yet discovered," Europeans
are flooding Tobago by the droves. Some come on holiday; to enjoy
sea, sand and sun, while others come to stay a bit longer. Their
presence in many cases, is being viewed by local residents as
a threat to their livelihood and an ultimate drain on the local
economy.
There are instances where expatriates have turned their dwellings
into Bed and Breakfast operations- and in one case, into a bakery
- and have started touring companies, soaking up more than just
sunshine. More specifically they have been soaking up tourist
dollars, leaving locals with their hands up in protest.
There is an estimated 250-300 hotel rooms in Tobago owned and
operated by foreigners. Tobago hotelier, Carlos Dillan is outraged
at the situation he sees developing. He explains that when a plane
lands in Tobago, carrying some 230 passengers, less than 50 of
those visitors patronise the locally owned hotels. The others,
he noted, are wooed away by foreign owned establishments and their
vacation money isn't even spent on the island.
Pat Turpin comes from a long line of land owners in Charlotteville,
on the North Eastern tip of the island. The owner of Man O' War
Hotel is disheartened to see the land being sold from right under
her feet - and way below its value as well. She related one instance
where an owner sold a piece of land to a German for TT$80,000
who gladly gave him a tip of a couple of thousand dollars "now
a big hotel is being constructed on the site," she lamented.
She says that because of the growing threat of losing their land
to strangers, the land owners have "adopted a policy to protect."
They propose to give preference of sale to local residents who
have been cultivating the land over a number of years (at TT$5.00
per square ft.), and then to foreigners.
"They will certainly be paying more for the land," she
said, though she did not disclose a price.
Others feel that the Germans are using their connections in Europe
to undermine opportunities for local entrepreneurs to be fair
players in the tourism industry. For example, bookings to visit
the island's famous reefs - an arrangement usually made through
a local touring company - are now being made outside the country
by foreigners who have set up businesses in the island.
"Tourism has come like a German business," says one
local, "and it is very disturbing." They also feel that
they are losing not only money, but the battle against the Germans
who are using a network system to secure customers before they
even land in Tobago. They also have the added advantage of being
able to speak the visitors language.
Residents and stakeholders are continuing to press for the enforcement
of laws against such breaches. They feel that local authorities
such as the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) and the immigration
department must police the situation and check foreigners for
work permits and licenses to operate a hotel or guesthouse.
But before any finger pointing can begin, Turpin believes that
Tobagonians must first ask themselves how much they value their
birthright.
"Who is selling the land to the foreigners in the first place?"
asks Turpin. She offers that a quick sell and an attractive bulk
of money seems to entice locals to sell. She feels that the lure
of fast money is now more cherished than heritage and inheritance.
Carlos Dillan echoes this belief, stating that a massive educational
programme is needed to teach citizens what role they can play
in what is considered to be the world's largest industry.
Another Tobago born resident, Karlene Sandy, is leading by example.
She too is disturbed at the rate at which "they are claiming
our culture as their own." In preparation for the island's
projected tourism boom, she is opening her new eco-theme restaurant,
the 'Green Life' Eco-spot. Sandy is advocating that communities
form action groups and open such businesses as restaurants and
gyms.
"Too often , the only business we want to venture into is
the little parlour," she said, "they (Tobagonians) should
get out of that small business syndrome and do something meaningful
- some real tourism business.
"To some extent the Germans are right. They see us wasting
our time and resources. They see a good thing and take off with
it," she said.
Carlos John, Chairman at The Tourism and Industrial Development
Company (TIDCO) voiced some concern over the developing situation.
He noted that "Trinidad and Tobago remains open for business,
particularly in the tourism and agricultural sectors and the country
is willing to facilitate investment if individuals play by the
rules."
He said that foreign investors were governed by a foreign investment
act which allows ownership of 1 acre of land for residential purposes
and up to 5 acres for industrial use and must still seek permission
from authorities before they consider construction.
"There is no automatic privilege of residential status either,"
he reiterated," the Ministry of National Security must still
grant permission for this."
He added that those found without relevant permits will be deported
and blacklisted. "They must learn to respect our laws and
abide by them when they visit our country as we are expected to
respect theirs."
TIDCO is excited about the prospects of the country's new tourism
thrust and the myriad of possibilities for tourism in Tobago "but
we are concerned about the rate of take-off and expansion of tourism
in Tobago, he said.
"We are working to involve the community in potential boom
of the tourism industry and community education about the benefits
of tourism would encourage locals to become involved in bringing
about a more viable and competitive tourism industry in Tobago.
Tourism seems perched to take off in Tobago. The 250-room Tobago
Hilton will boost accommodation capacity for our visitors from
Europe and North America," says John. The 5-star hotel, which
is due for completion in September, 1999, boasts the region's
only Nicklaus designed, 18 hole PGA golf course.
Response to the purchase of the resort's condominiums and villas
has been tremendous. All 74 golf condominiums, flanked by the
golf course and the sea, were sold out before construction started,
and buyers have already realised a 25 per cent appreciation in
property value. Few villas are still available, but officials
of the estate expect that these will be sold out soon.
A massive renovation project is also underway at the Mt Irvine
Bay Hotel and hotels such as Kariwak is venturing into agribusiness,
cultivating vegetables and herbs for its visitors and for sale
to other nearby hotels.
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