At Castara Retreats, we are committed to being more than just a destination for eco-conscious travellers; we aspire to be a regional leader in regenerative tourism—creating a model that is resilient, prosperous, and inclusive. By embracing regenerative tourism, we seek to uplift local culture, protect the environment, and drive sustainable economic growth, creating a “community of practice” that shares in the transformative potential of tourism.
By sharing our regenerative tourism goals and actions, we welcome external scrutiny that keeps us accountable and maintains a healthy pressure on ourselves to keep our strategy center focus in everything we do. This ensures that we remain focused on long-term impacts, allowing no room for complacency in our drive to progress allowing no room for complacency, in our efforts.
We recognize that meaningful change comes from both financial investment and human commitment and with this in mind we have made two new appointments at senior level to lead our team towards our regenerative tourism strategy. We have also made long term funding commitments necessary to achieve our goal to become a Caribbean-wide example of regenerative tourism. Throughout this page, you will find examples of how we are reinvigorating local ecosystems, renewing cultural practices, and reforming tourism standards to be more equitable and sustainable.
Our Regenerative Tourism Strategy was spearheaded by our owner, Steve Felgate, who saw Castara Retreats’ potential to make a measurable impact on addressing climate change. We aim to appeal to a growing market of ethically-minded travellers seeking destinations with real regenerative tourism credentials. Our approach blends commercial success with environmental responsibility, demonstrating that sustainable growth is not just possible but essential for the future.
Our partnership with the Environmental Research Institute of Charlotteville (ERIC) underscores our deep commitment to safeguarding Tobago’s natural and cultural heritage. ERIC, a key player in securing Tobago’s UNESCO Biosphere designation, is crucial to our efforts in revitalizing the region’s biodiversity. Through our 3-year funding agreement, we support ERIC’s conservation efforts, reinforcing our shared mission to reinvigorate Northeast Tobago’s environment and ensure its protection
Our dedication to regenerative tourism is reflected in the strength of our team. With the addition of General Manager, Maisha Oben, and Green Lead Sheena Des Vignes, we are expanding our impact. Both were drawn to Castara Retreats by our unwavering commitment to regenerative tourism principles. Alongside long-standing team members Porridge and Jeanell, they help guide our efforts in reforming how tourism benefits the local community, fostering inclusivity, and promoting a culture of shared prosperity.
To demonstrate our eco-friendly credibility, we undergo external auditing through the globally recognized Green Key certification program. In 2023 and 2024, we successfully completed our first and second audit, meeting mandatory sustainability standards. Our goal is to maintain and enhance these standards through 2025 and beyond, progressively improving across the program’s 13 sustainability categories. Through transparency and external validation, we ensure continuous reform and renewal in our practices.
Our vision for regenerative tourism extends beyond our team to the wider community. We actively mentor local entrepreneurs such as Judha and Leah with their business, Island Blue Snorkel, and Fitzroy, a rainforest guide developing eco-friendly hikes through Northeast Tobago’s pristine river systems. By January 2025, we will assist him in launching a fully developed hiking program with marketing support from Castara Retreats. This initiative highlights how we reinvigorate local livelihoods by offering sustainable tourism opportunities.
Our commitment to regenerative tourism extends to empowering the village of Castara. In partnership with the Castara Tourism Development Association (CTDA) and ERIC, we’ve helped local individuals create sustainable livelihoods in tourism. Together, we’ve earned international recognition for Castara as a model of community-led tourism, demonstrating how collaboration can preserve culture, protect the environment, and inspire shared prosperity
Follow our progress on social media, sign up for updates, or even contribute to specific projects aligned with our mission. Together with ERIC, we plan to launch new initiatives in 2025 that will continue our mission of environmental and cultural renewal. With your support, we can reform tourism practices and make a lasting impact.
