Florida couple wins Discover Dominica Authority contest

Mitch and Louise Kanaan of Florida are the winners of Discover Dominica Authority (DDA) “Showers of Love” contest.

The contest, which began on Valentine’s Day 2009, required persons to provide a series of answers to questions regarding famous couples on the Discover Dominica website.

A total of 10 persons with entries holding all correct answers were eligible to win a prize. The grand prize went to the Kanaans which was a trip for two to Dominica.

Today at a presentation ceremony, Director of Tourism Colin Piper told media that the Tampa, Florida couple were given the options to pick the date of their Dominica. He said that many private sector firms chipped in to make the contest successful and that this contest was one of five others that the DDA has embarked on so far.

Piper also said: “This contest had close to 4,000 participants, 3,799 to be exact… we have since embarked on doing about four more of these contests… we have already concluded three of them and are doing the fourth.”

He also said that these contests are a part of the Discover Dominica Authority’s marketing strategy for the tourism sector in Dominica. He said that 50% of the DDA’s advertising is through the use of the internet.

President of the Dominica Hotel and Tourism Association Simon Walsh said that the private sector was a key part of the competition. He mentioned that some of the sponsors involved Jungle Bay Resort and Spa, Calibishi Lodges and the Rain Forest Aerial Tram and the Dominica Water Sports Association.

A mask and snorkel set, donated by the Dominica Water Sports Association through Oceanic from the US, was given to the couple, among other gifts.

The couple told reporters at the ceremony that they were thrilled for their winnings and were particularly awed by the friendliness of Dominicans whom they have had the pleasure of coming into contact with.