On the heels of International Women’s Day, the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited (TTAL) reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women in tourism with its inaugural Honouring, Empowering, Revolutionizing – HER, a campaign dedicated to showcasing, connecting and advancing businesswomen and entrepreneurs across Tobago’s vibrant tourism and hospitality industry.
At the forefront of the campaign was the monthlong rollout of HER Story on Tobago’s destination website – tobagobeyond.com, a compelling series of online features that gave voice to the unique journeys, perspectives and success stories of fifteen (15) phenomenal businesswomen and entrepreneurs. From efforts to drive sustainable and responsible tourism on the island to harnessing Tobago’s unique cultural heritage in new and innovative ways, the series demonstrated the vital role women play in shaping the island’s tourism product while providing a source of inspiration for others. The series also created a platform to heighten the visibility of Tobago’s diverse tourism offerings through the inspiring stories of its women, with the features surpassing 64,000 in organic reach on social media.
On March 27th 2025, the campaign culminated with the Honuoring, Empowering, Revolutionizing HER Forum, a business mixer hosted by TTAL and its Board of Directors, in partnership with the Tobago Hospitality and Tourism Association (THTA), the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce – Tobago Division, and Comfort Inn & Suites – Tobago. This event brought together female entrepreneurs, industry leaders, government representatives and potential investors in an engaging, stakeholder-focused setting with the aim of strengthening business connections and expanding market opportunities for women in tourism. By facilitating this forum, TTAL created an environment where women in tourism could build partnerships and gain the insights needed to scale their businesses and enhance their offerings.
At the forum, Chairman of the TTAL Board of Directors, Mrs. Dalia Jerry, underscored the important role women play in building a more resilient and sustainable tourism industry, while reaffirming TTAL’s commitment to fostering greater collaboration and meaningful connections between stakeholders, which are essential for industry growth and long-term success. Ag. Chief Executive Officer of TTAL, Mrs. Sandra Orr-Toney also emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for women in tourism to thrive, noting that “when women in tourism succeed, our entire tourism sector will reap the benefits.” Speaking at the event, she added:
“From visionary entrepreneurs to trailblazers who have broken barriers, these women have not only transformed the way we experience the world, but have opened doors for other women entrepreneurs and also paved the way for future generations of women to follow their lead. So, through this tourism women’s forum, as we reflect on their incredible achievements and success, let us remember that their journeys are not just stories of individual success, but of collective empowerment. They have shown us that the future of tourism is brighter, more inclusive, and full of possibilities when women lead the way.”
Commenting on her experience as one of the fifteen (15) women who were highlighted during the campaign, Mrs. Carlina Jules-Taylor, Co-Owner of Tonči Chocolates, described the initiative as an “eye-opening experience”, while commending the efforts of TTAL in showcasing women who work tirelessly behind-the-scenes. She said:
“We are stronger together than either of us are alone, especially in the context of presenting a stronger tourism product for Tobago. So, I am grateful for being able to highlight what we offer and for this event which was a good networking opportunity for entrepreneurs. It laid the foundation for future collaboration and I look forward to being a part of similar initiatives in future.”
At the business mixer, attendees benefited from inspiring presentations delivered by influential women in the industry, including Ms. Dona Regis-Prosper, Secretary General, Caribbean Tourism Organization; Mrs. Janet Parks, CEO of Parks International; Ms. Jacqueline Yorke-Westcott, Executive Chairman of Mount Irvine Bay Resort; and Ms. Desiree Hackett-Murray, Financial Advisor at the Unit Trust Corporation (UTC). Featuring topics ranging from innovation, entrepreneurship and financial management to sustainable tourism and community-based initiatives, these discussions provided valuable strategies that are essential for business growth and development, equipping attendees with the insights needed to navigate challenges and leverage opportunities within Tobago’s evolving tourism landscape. Commenting on the event, Ms. Hackett-Murray emphasized the importance of initiatives such as HER Forum, stating that “HER Forum educates, empowers and builds networking opportunities for female entrepreneurs in Tobago.” She further added:
“This goes beyond a gender initiative, it’s a strategic investment in the economic, social and cultural future of tourism in Tobago because investing in women doesn’t just change one life-it transforms families, communities and the future of this island. Participants walked away inspired, equipped with tools to access funding, practical skills to grow and refine their businesses and deeper connections for future collaboration. These create a ripple effect as women are likely to take these benefits back to their families, businesses and communities”
The business mixer also provided a platform for female entrepreneurs to showcase their local products and services, further demonstrating the diverse and innovative contributions women make to Tobago’s tourism sector. Ms. Tiffani Phillips, Founder of Arami Luxe who showcased her services at the event, described HER Forum as a meaningful experience. She added:
“HER Forum was a dynamic space that celebrated innovation, resilience, and the brilliance of women in business. It was inspiring to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs and share my vision through Arami Luxe. The experience left me feeling seen, supported, and motivated to keep elevating my brand and impact.”
The Honouring, Empowering, Revolutionizing HER campaign aligns with TTAL’s broader strategy to enhance Tobago’s tourism sector by fostering an ecosystem of collaboration, innovation and sustainable business development. Through initiatives such as this, TTAL continues to strengthen industry partnerships and drive economic resilience within the local tourism economy.