Regional tourism heads have been told that notwithstanding some impressive indicators in the tourist sector, the Caribbean region has been experiencing some not so impressive trends and is becoming less competitive.
Head of Trade Policy Unit/Officer in Charge Economic Affairs Division in the OECS Secretariat, Virginia Paul, made the remarks at the start of a meeting of OECS Council of the Ministers of Tourism currently underway at the Atlantique View Resort and Spa in Anse De Mai.
“There is no need for me to convince you of the significance of the tourism sector on the OECS economy,” she said, pointing out that evidence produced by the World Travel and Tourism Council, shows tourism as the fundamental driver of the economy of the Caribbean countries contributing some 14 percent of total gross domestic product (GDP), 12 percent of employment, two-million direct, indirect and induce jobs in 2012.
“However, notwithstanding these impressive indicators, a closer look at the relevant statistics reveals that some not so impressive trends in respect of the overall performance of the Tourism Sector in the Eastern Caribbean Union,” she said. “The data reveals that OECS is becoming increasingly less competitive amidst stiffening competition, particularly from emerging destinations in other regions of the world.”
Consequently, she pointed out, the region is “losing its already undersized share of the global tourism market.”
Paul stated that statistics obtained from the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and the Eastern Caribbean Central Union (ECCU) show the share of world travelers in the Caribbean has been on a downward trend over the decade of 2003 to 2013.
“In 2000, the ECCU share of global tourist arrivals was .132 percent, in 2005 it declined to .131 percent, in 2010 it declined to .101 and last year, it reached a record low of .092 percent,” she stated. “These facts and figures substantiate the point that while we depend heavily on tourism sector as the most significant in our economies, the Global Tourism Sector does not in a similar vein depend critically on us for its prosperity and not by any measure regard our region as a significant, much less the most significant region.”
Paul then asked some pertinent questions concerning the impact of the OECS on global tourism.
“If the OECS were to be extracted from the Global Tourism arena, what would be the implications? Would we be missed? Why would we be missed? What makes us so special? What makes us so different?” she pondered.
She said these are some questions that the region should bear in mind and it should adopt and execute deliberate strategies aimed at enhancing the competitiveness and appeal of the OECS.
Nature is not enough, what about a zoo, Amusement park and an a Aquarium. Dominica need more. What is beautiful for Dominican is often not for others. Recently I went to Niagra falls and to tell you the truth most of the people who came only spend 15-20 watching the falls the rest of the time they spent shopping, playing games, waiting in long line either to climb the tower, boat ride, or riding down the tunnell.
It is high time to put some chicken cage, Manicou cage, etc along the indian river. Do something what Iam seeing on Utube is not enough
“the Caribbean region has been experiencing some not so impressive trends and is becoming less competitive.”
Hypothesis, theory or fact?
If the above conclusion is factual, we all should know the reason why. I could have resolve that with one word. If in fact the Caribbean is becoming less competitive in the tourist industry, it could be because the Caribbean might be one of the most expensive tourist destination.
One of the reasons could be the expensive cost of a hotel room, I find some Hotel Rooms are much more expensive in the Caribbean than in the United States. The last time I stop over on a certain island and went to register in a certain so called hotel, I was told I would have to pay three hundred U.S. dollars per night, whereas I was spending five days on the island means I would have to pay fifteen hundred U.S. dollars for that five days; an equivalent of approximately EC$4,035.00. Our people need to understand that all vacationers are not millionaires, and most whites who visits the Caribbean on vacation are simply working class people.
Some may be even working for minimum wage!
If I decide to check into a hotel in Las Vegas, or anywhere in the United State costing three hundred dollars and over per night, it is something of very high class, it will be a suit with everything in it, pajamas and all, and a stock refrigerator with all sorts of beverages, and nuts in the room, along with drinking water; some of these are extras which are paid for when I am checking out.
I believe the way to overcome the dilemma is for the hotel owners to present a better package, cheap rooms, good service including recreational events and some extras on which the tourist will spend the cash, hence what they loose on the expensive room will be recovered on recreational spending.
A well stock bar, with live music, and performing arts keeps people in a bar where they spend their money; I believe the attitude must be change; most people believe that the tourist will come simply because they hear the name Caribbean, and associate that with beaches, and sun that is all it takes. I have traveled extensively, and as far as I am concerned there is nothing we have to offer in the Caribbean that cannot be found somewhere in Europe, the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and other places in the universe.
I’ve seen beaches in Europe which can be compared to some in the Caribbean, here in the Unites States, and Mexico too.
There is always a resolve to every problem we only have to dig deep enough to find the problem and resolve it accordingly!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
miss paul be careful, cause if people like ivor nassief hear you, they will call all sorts of names like, well maybe aunty tom since your not a man they cant call you uncle tom…
LET US GO BACK TO WHAT WE KNOW, AGRICULTURE. AND IF TOURIST COME WE WILL STILL WELCOME THEM.
You are so ignorant!
It is a well-known fact that the Caribbean is becoming less competitive as a Global Tourism destination and despite its declining competitiveness; it is also fact that Tourism is considered a major driver of the economies of all Caribbean countries. The Head of Trade Policy Unit/Officer in Charge Economic Affairs Division in the OECS Secretariat, Virginia Paul is therefore very well placed to make this statement.
On this note, I concur with Ms Paul’s utterance that there was no need for her to convince the OECS Ministers of Tourism and other delegates in attendance at the OECS Ministers of Tourism Meeting being held here in Dominica of the significance of the tourism sector on the OECS economy since most people are aware of the significant contribution that Tourism is making to employment (direct, indirect and induced) and foreign exchange earnings, etc…
The questions she posed are very fundamental and relevant questions to which we already have the answers. The big question is “How does it feel answering these questions honestly?” The following are some answers for consideration:
1. If the OECS were extracted from the Global Tourism arena travel to and from North America and Western Europe in particular, our main source markets would be disrupted and would give travellers less global options from which to choose a holiday experience. It would also create severe social and economic chaos within the sub region and most if not all the economies of the OECS would face imminent collapse plunging the region into severe socio-economic depression, poverty and forced emigration. Since we do not want this to happen, we all have a responsibility to ensure that the region remain competitive and to continue to strategies to grow our share of the global tourism market in terms of overnight visits, the cruise and yachting sector, and intra-regional tourism, especially same day/excursionist travel.
2. The region has a very rich natural and cultural heritage, so to a very large extent, the region would be missed, particularly since the region have some firsts in Tourism… and many aspects of the region’s Tourism products have received top ratings in terms of Global tourism.
3. The region would be missed from the Global Tourism scene since the region has many characteristics that have added diversity and variety to Global Tourism, and since the region is so diverse and interlinked it would be very difficult to divorce the OECS from the rest of the Caribbean and Global tourism.
4. The region is also considered one of the safest places to travel, our people are considered very hospitable… these in addition to our vast and varied heritage make us a very special place on planet earth
5. The region is different to the rest of the World’s Tourism Destinations since there is so much diversity within the region, and each island has its own unique character. And obviously the answers to previous questions really speak to what makes our sub region different from the rest of the world.
However, we must understand that in order to be competitive we must recognize our constraints in terms of the general poor delivery of quality service by some service providers, inadequately developed infrastructure, hotel facilities and ancillary services… over priced goods and services, the creeping incidence of crime that gives a perception of lack of attention to safety and security and of course the high level of insularity within the region which continues to plague the region’s competitiveness within the Global Tourism Market… unless we understand that we are a single region sharing the same economic, social, cultural, and natural space, heritage and values… we will put ourselves as a region out of business…
I think that government places too much emphasis on tourism, when we know for a fact that tourist do not come here as much,when compared to other countries for example, Barbados. More emphasis should be placed on agriculture. Setting up factories and other businesses to produce jobs for the unemployed. We have so many natural resources here and yet we just let them waste away. Its time we take a stand and do something to better our country instead of just sitting here and complaining about everything.
Too much?
that is a total misrepresentation of the facts.
I heard Ian talking some bogus on the radio about air access. These ppl need to get out of there for real progress to happen. Change is a must. The tourists that they’re talking about and depending on is from the same old countries the DLP government despises. Skerrit and all his personal friendships in countries like China, Morrocco, Vanuatu, Libya, Venezuela cannot bring not even one tourist ship down to our shores.
Sadly, she will present them with the facts and once more these do nothing governments will put the report on a shelf where it will sit and collect dust.
In simple terms, we do know that news travel as fast as the wind blows and lightning flashes and strikes, more so bad news. When tourists are disrespected, their personal items stolen, they are not able to enjoy a swim in the river and sea, in a relaxed atmosphere and in peace expect that they will inform the travel agency in their place of origin. They will also inform their family and associates about their disappointing visit.
Nearly everyone possible will hear of their bad experience. If they had a wonderful experience and time, they will also inform others about it.
The country where those incidents occurred, will receive a bad mark and reputation. Tourists may not be encouraged to travel to those lands.
We have read and heard what has occurred to some tourists in Dominica and also other islands, When others hear of these types of news rest assured that it will deter them from visiting those countries. If our own people of various islands fear visiting their countries, expect that, even more from the tourists.
My advice not only to the Minister of Tourism but to all OECS countries ensure that visitors to their islands are safe and have an enjoyable time. It costs money to travel. Those who do expect their stay will also be comfortable. Just as bad news travel far and wide, so do good news. Our countries are meant to live and visit comfortably and not ones to be feared. Minister of tourism, keep this in mind.
It is a well-known fact that the Caribbean is becoming less competitive as a Global Tourism destination and despite its declining competitiveness; it is also fact that Tourism is considered a major driver of the economies of all Caribbean countries. The Head of Trade Policy Unit/Officer in Charge Economic Affairs Division in the OECS Secretariat, Virginia Paul is therefore very well placed to make this statement.
On this note, I concur with Ms Paul’s utterance that there was no need for her to convince the OECS Ministers of Tourism and other delegates in attendance at the OECS Ministers of Tourism Meeting being held here in Dominica of the significance of the tourism sector on the OECS economy since most people are aware of the significant contribution that Tourism is making to employment (direct, indirect and induced) and foreign exchange earnings, etc…
The questions she posed are very fundamental and relevant questions to which we already have the answers. The big question is “How does it feel answering these questions honestly?” The following are some answers for consideration:
1. If the OECS were extracted from the Global Tourism arena travel to and from North America and Western Europe in particular, our main source markets would be disrupted and would give travellers less global options from which to choose a holiday experience. It would also create severe social and economic chaos within the sub region and most if not all the economies of the OECS would face imminent collapse plunging the region into severe socio-economic depression, poverty and forced emigration. Since we do not want this to happen, we all have a responsibility to ensure that the region remain competitive and to continue to strategies to grow our share of the global tourism market in terms of overnight visits, the cruise and yachting sector, and intra-regional tourism, especially same day/excursionist travel.
2. The region has a very rich natural and cultural heritage, so to a very large extent, the region would be missed, particularly since the region have some firsts in Tourism… and many aspects of the region’s Tourism products have received top ratings in terms of Global tourism.
3. The region would be missed from the Global Tourism scene since the region has many characteristics that have added diversity and variety to Global Tourism, and since the region is so diverse and interlinked it would be very difficult to divorce the OECS from the rest of the Caribbean and Global tourism. The region is also considered one of the safest places to travel, our people are considered very hospitable
4. The region is different to the rest of the World’s Tourism Destinations since there is so much diversity within the region, and each island has its own unique character. And obviously the answers to previous questions really speak to what makes our sub region different from the rest of the world.
However, we must understand that in order to be competitive we must recognize our constraints in terms of the general poor delivery of quality service by some service providers, inadequately developed infrastructure, hotel facilities and ancillary services… over priced goods and services, the creeping incidence of crime that gives a perception of lack of attention to safety and security and of course the high level of insularity within the region which continues to plague the region’s competitiveness within the Global Tourism Market… unless we understand that we are a single region sharing the same economic, social, cultural, and natural space, heritage and values… we will put ourselves as a region out of business…
tourism is every body business not just government, we the ordinary people have to do our part.
Go back to the field,Dnt depend on tourism.
Government is responsible for providing a modern infrastructure such as well paved and maintained roads,international airport and water supplies.Investors needs to be enticed through tax concessions and they must be the undertaking of long term planning.Many of these things are found wanting in Dominica so the tourist simply go to other islands.It’s hard to see how this government will confront powerful external pressure and radically reorganize the structure of Dominica’s tourism industry.
Be that as it may, but the tourists are not bypassing Dominica and “simply going to the other islands” with their international airports and concessions. From the article, it sounds like the Caribean is losing its competitiveness in global tourism. Hopefully the ministers of tourism come out of this session with well thought out and practical solutions.
I told you So! need I say more? not wasting time. Those who have eyes will see, and those with ears will listen. No body more than me wants to see Dominica develop and thrive in all or some sectors, but we have to deal with hard facts and be honest to we the people, instead of all that “SPIN” and cooked up mumbo jumbo that is shove down our head. That’s the sad part. D. N. O. play back the tape or pull up the address some three weeks ago by our tourism minister. I am Dominican, Are You!!!!
She is stating global challenges to tourism…..but the uwp magic team will simply say its dlp mismanagement…put them in and watch them defy global trends….good at saying what people want to hear this uwp…being able to do those things is a whole other story
Here is the deal. Our dear PM have been in bed with chavez, dining in china, God knows what he was doing in morocco and so on. To date i have not seen one cruise ship from china, nor venezuela neither have i heard any trade agreements with these countries for our exotic fruits, juices, produce, sea food etc. Instead we have become increasingly antagonistic with The US, Canada and England through drugs and the sale of our priceless passports to people with questionable chracter, the same countries we rely on for tourism. Our access is terrible our service is poor and we especially in Dominica do not appreciate and understand our uniqness.
The point is we have a bunch of leaders who have no vision, and do not belive in their peoples ability, nor do they understand thier responsibility to the people. Slowly we are becoming less attractive. Wait till Cuba opens up and you will see drop.
However it is not lost, we nees leaders who can see past there arms length.
very correct summary of DM tourism … only you forgot to add that sanitary conditions are terrible and a lot of racist people….
if we got cruise ships from china and or venezuela, you would only complain about communists being here. Anyway, Ian Douglas is oblivious to the tourism situation in the OECS that’s why he can talk bull dodo about we making strides, big LOL on that.
I would not have to because communism does not allow enough people to earn enough money to spend on vacations a cruises. The larger point is while we kiss up to socialist and communist ideology we are very dependent on those Capitalist who know how to work hard and make money. When we see cruise and tourist from these areas we will know they are no longer communist
Take LIAT out and see how things would grow 100 times more. That airline is your biggest set back to growth. I was there for 3 weeks for carnival 3 days without luggage and when i return to TO came back Thursday luggage arrived Sunday busted up & looted. ANTIGUA.
You should inform the LIAT office in Dominica and also write LIAT’s CEO and request compensation. It is high time for LIAT to take passengers complaints seriously. They must also pay for the damage and loss. As the saying, do not take this sitting down.
Lady you writing about Dominica every day but you don’t know that the Liat office in Roseau closed some years ago to save money? You can book on line or go to a travel agent. There is no Liat office in Dominica.
Ian is painting a different picture he must say it as it is and not take us as fouls eventually the true picture will surface.
I guess this is why Mr. Ian Douglas (tourism Minister) came out today trying to fool people with the story that in Dominica we have made tremendous strives in air access.
He knew this information on the Caribbean not being able to be competitive in tourism was coming out today.
Hmmm…….This guys really think we are morons.
First of all caribbean region is not safe place to visit…its expensive and for many european and american tourists.
Dominica is even worse position but as somebody correctly mentioned its taboo in DOminica society….hmmmm…correct to say DOminica tribe to criticize tourism
That’s why we should and cannot let agriculture die……period. Lets invest equally in agriculture and put measures in place to protect and save it. We may miss the tourists……….. but should we miss agriculture also??? That would be too much to bare. Lord help us!
Mrs.Paul we will continue to lose the market once liat remains a disease to our international and local travels.LetS FIRST START BY TAKING THE HUB OUT OF ANTIGUA.
I would agree with that. Move it to Barbados. Much more practical from a customer service, equipment support- and logistical point of view.
It is time to tell LIAT exactly as it is. Some people are too diplomatic which gets them nowhere. Now that LIAT has a new CEO, a writing should be dispatched to him emphasizing that LIAT has contributed to loss of tourism due to late arrivals and take-off; also causing passengers to miss their flight, resulting in long delays and also having to overnight in A/gua. It should also be mentioned about delay of passengers’ luggage and loss and theft of the contents of some of them. This should be a start to hopefully get some action and improvement from LIAT.
But Mrs. Paul, Our Government said we were doing good in tourism.
Finally somebody with the balls to say it as it is….and it had to be lady. Good for her! Here, if you try to tell govt. bad truthful news you are castigated as unpatriotic. We prefer pretending everything is fine, like putting a fresh coat of paint on rotten building and even that we don’t do well. Let’s face the facts so we can at least try to fix them. Thank you lady for, your tough but necessary medicine.
Would you care to make some suggestions about possible solutions
Yes anonymous. We have a minister of tourism , who is paid to do just that and gets paid for doing so. However I take up your challenge, free of charge. The message is that that all Caribbean countries are suffering, not just Dominica so we must do things different from them. The emphasis right now with the Min. of tourism is to increase visitor numbers but the success of Gregory Nassief with his Secret Bay shows that for us this is not the way to go. Rosalie Beach and Jungle Bay are others. People who do come and visit us do not come here for fine white beaches and we should exploit that. We should concentrate on quality rather than quantity. That also helps with the vexed question of limited air access. Let’s concentrate on people with real money and leave the cheap package package tours with low margins for he likes of Antigua and Barbados. That is not our market. We are exclusive by nature and should cash in on that. We must not try to be everything to all people but focus on those, who can afford to visit Dominica and if necessary come here by private plane. I have even seen Learjet at Melville Hall, no problem.
PS.
Our new slogan perhaps?:
“Dominica, exclusive by nature” or” Dominica, naturally exclusive”
Anonymous, I challenge you too to put in your suggestions
JoJo, what do you mean that it had to take a lady to expand on this reality? There are some very brilliant women out here in all sector of the workplace (private and public) and many of them does a better job than us men. This is not only limited to Dominica, but it’s all over the Caribbean, and the world so I take offence to your inferences that it had to take a lady. Both professionally and personally, I would rather have a woman as my boss everyday than some of those insane men in the workplace. Congratulation to Ms. Paul for continuing to focus women capabilities as the days of being in the kitchen, being in bed as a sex symbol and taking care of babies is over. Women are to be appreciated as they have a role to play too.
Jon, you read what you want to read. I praise this lady exactly because she has what is lacking in supposedly real men. That is why I say “good for her!
The eyes and minds of those in authority need to be opened and be broadminded. I do not see how people can be called unpatriotic if they offer suggestions of improvements. It is not unpatriotic to speak out, telling it as it is and offer suggestions. It is unpatriotic to criticize and if unfairly and to keep quiet.
The attitude of some people is, well, they will not pay heed and will do nothing. This is a put-down and discouragement. Nothing beats a failure but a trial. If you have done your part and they refuse to listen to you and act, consider, you have done what you felt obligated to do as a national. Therefore pat yourself on the back and do not feel guilty. You should be satisfied that you have done your best.