Yacht services and day trips by boat make up much of the local economy and employment; together with a handful of small hotels and guest houses. Union island itself is not a main tourist destination; however, the nearby Tobago Cays account for much of the yachting tourism revenue.
From 1834 until 1898 the island was leased out at £150 per year to the Mulzac family. 12 years later in 1910 the island was purchased by the British Crown and divided up into parcels of land which were then sold to the local residents so they could build their own houses. Today, Union Island has around 3,000 local residents.
Union can be reached from Barbados, St Vincent, Grenada, Martinique with onwards flights to Carriacou, Canouan, Mustique and Bequia and boat transfers to many islands including the neighbouring Palm Island.
|