Economy
Between workers, materials, and national defense, it takes a lot of money to keep a country moving. Workers must be paid, materials must be acquired, and your island’s infrastructure must be expanded to accommodate a growing population.
Every feasible economy depends on obtaining foreign wealth. If you hope to build a thriving economy, you must provide the resources, products, or services that other nations are willing to purchase.
Trade
Developed nations will pay good money for raw resources, and the islands of Tropico have plenty to offer. Farms, Mines, and Logging Camps can all be used to boost a struggling economy.
Any resources that aren’t used by the people of the island are automatically exported to a foreign nation that’s willing to pay for the surplus.
Trading in basic resources provides a steady income for your country, and it can create many jobs for uneducated workers. Conversely, importing foreign resources can place an unnecessary burden on your nation’s economy.
Try to expand an island’s harvesting operations before you allow Tropico’s funds to fill another nation’s treasury.
Industry
Industry allows for a more aggressive form of trade. An industrialized nation can turn refined goods into massive profits.
Industry requires a fairly large investment, but it’s definitely one of the most reliable ways to turn an impoverished country into a global power.
It’s generally best to plan your production around resources that can be harvested from the island.
Whether you choose to turn sugar into rum, tobacco into cigars, or iron into weapons, a thriving industry can provide employment opportunities for workers of all education levels.
Aside from special blueprints and an educated workforce, industry also requires a well-planned infrastructure. You’ll need a solid network of roads and plenty of teamsters to maintain the flow of raw resources and finished goods.
Industry takes a heavy toll on the Environment, which can lead to unhappy citizens and a low Tourism Rating, but when it comes to building a strong economy, a thriving industry is hard to beat.
Tourism
Tourism is the best way to bring in foreign cash without stripping your island of its natural beauty. To draw tourists to your island, you must achieve a high Tourism Rating.
Appropriate accommodations and exciting attractions are the corner-stones of tourism, but tourists also expect the same basic services your own people demand.
Different tourists have different desires and price ranges. Some tourists will pay top dollar for luxurious accommodations and exclusive services, while others prefer a family friendly environment with plenty of attractions to keep them busy.
If you choose to invest in tourism, it’s important to determine which tourists are most likely to visit your island.
If you provide an appealing destination and maintain a positive global image, tourism should provide enough jobs and revenue to keep most of your citizens happy.
Tourism depends on a pleasant environment; if your economy depends on tourism, it is particularly important to keep your population’s Overall Happiness as high as possible.
Swiss Bank Account
Every leader needs to put a little something away for retirement, and you have a Swiss bank account for just that reason. As you play through the game, you’ll find opportunities, both respectable and somewhat questionable, to line your own pockets.
Whether you prefer to earn your retirement funds from legitimate donations, backroom deals, or corrupt policies, the game keeps track of all the money you’ve managed to accumulate for your own use.
Funds directed to your Swiss bank account are reflected in each mission’s final score, so it’s best to ensure that you establish some form of personal income during your time on each map.