The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts has congratulated the Castara Tourism Development Association on Castara’s selection for participation in the upgrade programme of the United Nations (UN) World Tourism Organization's Best Tourism Villages initiative.
Castara was among three tourism-based villages, including Siparia and Lopinot, submitted by the ministry for consideration. The north-eastern Tobago community was selected from approximately 130 applications from 57 countries.
[caption id="attachment_991918" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Clarence Telesford places various pastries in the dirt oven in Castara. Photo by Jeff K Mayers[/caption]
According to the UN organisation, a Best Tourism Village label is awarded to a village that is “an outstanding example of a rural tourism destination with recognised cultural and natural assets that preserves and promotes community-based values, products and lifestyle…and has a clear commitment to sustainability in all its aspects.”
Villages that do not fully qualify to receive the Best Tourism Villages label, but have the potential, are accepted into the upgrade programme. Castara was recognised as one of 20 villages with this potential and, under the upgrade programme, will receive support from the UN World Tourism Organization to improve the areas identified as gaps during the evaluation process.
[caption id="attachment_991919" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Fishermen aboard Prosperity vessel cast their net at Castara Bay. Photo by David Reid[/caption]
Known primarily as a fishing village, Castara offers much more to visitors keen to enjoy an authentic Tobago experience.
A dirt oven provides villagers and visitors with baked delights such as breads and pastries on specific days.
The Castara waterfall is another attraction for adventure seekers. Their fisherman fete is also an event not to be missed.
Every Thursday, there is a bonfire on Castara beach with fish broth, dirt-oven bread and local sweets on sale.
The pulling of seine on the shoreline is one of the activities that brings villagers together.
Visitors can find accommodation at local hotels and other establishments.
Brian Taylor, president of the Castara Tourism Development Association, said it was a great achievement for Castara to be part of the programme. He added, "We as a community have worked very hard to develop our community so it is second to none. We are all grateful for the opportunity to be chosen. This will help us to go forward to propel not only Castara but Tobago."
[caption id="attachment_991931" align="alignnone" width="1024"] A villager gets the bamboo structure ready on Castara beach ahead of a bonfire. Photo by David Reid[/caption]
What makes Castara so special?
Taylor explained, "We have our way of life. Castara is one of the only villages where you can experience a real village life. Not only people from foreign will tell you that, people from
Tobago will tell you that you come Castara and you feel the stress just going away.
"We would have maintained
